Biratnagar, Jan. 16 :Minister for Finance Mahesh Acharya says that though, with the introduction of the Value Added Tax (vat) the revenue has increased this year as compared to that of the last year necessary reform process is yet to be made in it.

As businessmen are required to give purchase bills to the consumers as according to law and many businessmen are yet to register their firms in line with the legal process the communications sector should extend cooperation in this task he adds.

Speaking at a meet the press programme organised by Morang District branch of the Nepal Press here today, Minister Acharya said that compared to the volume of import, export trade was limited and therefore agro-based sectors should be encouraged to increase the production growth rate to bring in more dynamism in the economic development of the country.

Stating that the economic liberalisation process was continuing in a creative, dynamic and dedicated manner, the Finance Minister stated that as compared to last year, the development expenditure had remained balanced, the budgetary deficit was decreasing, the foreign currency reserve had increased, investment promotion of the banking sector had become consolidated and the interest rate was being decreased this year.

Pointing out that political violence seemed to have its negative impact on political, economic and social growth, he expressed the view that the administration should be competent to maintain political stability and prevent criminal activities in the country.

He said that as Nepali Congress which has crossed many hurdles for fifty years is pursuing liberal and flexible policy, it will not split at any cost but other parties including the communists had split immediately when there was ideological rivalry.

Furnishing replies to the questions posed by journalists, the finance administer said that it was but natural for the party president to alert the government to make it more dynamic. He said, “in a parliamentary democracy, the party lies close to the people and the government lies close to the policy of the party, while the style of functioning is different.”

President of Morang District Committee of the Federation of Nepali Journalists Deepak Dahal said that hmg should immediately introduce working journalists’ act to provide facilities to the journalists.

Speaking from the chair, president of Morang District branch of Nepal Press Union Hem Raj Regmi said that permanent status should be provided to journalists working on temporary basis for many years, advertisement should be provided to the periodicals of the mofussils without any discrimination, foreign visit of and safety of journalists should also been ensured.