Kathmandu,
May 23: The government is launching the web-based ‘vehicle and consignment
tracking system' to keep track of the whereabouts of the cargo carrying
containers and trucks from the next fiscal year 2019/20.
The newly
created digital system will be interlinked with the ASYCUDA at the Department
of Customs (DoC) and affiliated with the computerised system of the Department
of Inland Revenue (IRD).
With the
implementation of the web-based vehicle tracking system and connection with the
customs, inland revenue and revenue investigation departments, every business
activity, from importers to the consumers, can be easily tracked which will
make the tax-evasion more difficult.
The new
computerised system is being developed by the Department of Revenue
Investigation (DRI). It will facilitate the transport entrepreneurs, importers
and businesses with the real-time update of the vehicular movement about their
cargo and consignment.
The DRI said that the tracking system will
create greater transparency in import business, check the smuggling of goods
and discourage the use of fake bill of the Value Added Tax (VAT).
As the
government has already launched the Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) in
container trucks carrying goods from Kolkata to Birgunj, it will have
information of the cargo and consignments from Kolkata port to the godown of
the businesspersons.
The
piloting of the new system will start next month, said Director General of DG
Dirgha Raj Mainali at an interaction with the Nepal Chamber of Commerce on
Thursday.
He said
that the new system will eliminate the paper-based complex process which is in
practice and has a mandatory provision to show the documents at every check
point of the revenue investigation on the way.
"The
transporters and importers have to submit the copy of the customs clearance and
other documents at every revenue investigation check-post and register the
vehicle. The web-based system will eliminate this cumbersome process and promote
fair business," said Mainali.
In absence
of effective cargo and consignment tracking system, some importers had
transported second trip of goods with the same bill after two days and the DRI had
to believe that the bill was for the same consignment.
In the last
two-three years, the traders used fake VAT bill worth Rs. 8 billion. "When
a trader imports goods with under-invoicing or smuggles it to Nepal, the
customers do not get the bill of those goods and when asked they are handed
over a fake receipt," said Mainali.
He warned
the businesspersons of severe punishment on using fake bill which will be fine
of 140 per cent of the amount cheated and jail term of up to two years.
President
of NCC Rajesh Kazi Shrestha said that the web-based system could improve the
doing business situation with faster movement of the goods and ensure greater
transparency.
"But
the government must make sure that the private sector is facilitated with the
new system," he said.
In April
2018, the government had launched the ECTS in the container trucks that ferry goods
from Kolkata to Birgunj.
According
to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which supported the new technology, the ECTS
uses satellite positioning systems, cellular communications, radio frequency
identification, and other web-based software to ensure the security of the cargo.
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