The DRI started action against the casinos after they failed to clear tax liabilities with the department within the 35-day deadline which expired on Friday. [break]DRI had swung into action against the casinos as per the directive of the Public Accounts Committee of the legislature parliament.
Laxman Bhattarai, spokesperson of MoTCA, told Republica that the ministry received DRI´s letter on Monday. “We have started necessary procedures to take action against the casinos,” Bhattarai said, adding, “It might take some days.”
The DRI has asked the MoTCA to take action against Casino Rad, Casino Venus, Casino Grand, Royal Casino, Anna Casino, Casino Shangri-La, Fulbari Casino and Casino Nepal.
In its notice, the DRI had asked all casinos defaulting royalty and fine payments to either clear all dues or face revocation of their operating licenses. After the notice was issued, Casino Rad and Casino Grand paid their royalty but did not clear fines for the delayed payment which amounts to be over Rs 4 million each.
Similarly, Casino Shangri-La and Royal had cleared royalty and fine for this fiscal year but had refused to clear past dues. Of the 10 casinos operating across the country, only Casino Everest and Casino Tara had managed to get the DRI´s clean chit.
The department managed to collect Rs 165 million out of Rs 300 million from the casinos after the notice was issued.
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