Annapurna Rural Municipality collects over Rs 13 in taxes from tourism businesses

POKHARA, August 25:The Annapurna Rural Municipality of Myagdi district has accumulated over Rs 13 million in taxes from contracts made with local businesses in some of the surrounding tourist spots. 

According to Amrit Subedi, chief administrative officer of the rural municipality, it is set to collect Rs 6.31 million from businesses operation around Poon Hill, Rs 5.5 million from Bhurung Tatopani Kunda of ward 2, Rs 2.1 million from hotels being operated in Tatopani Kunda of ward 5. 

"We have entered into an income contract agreement with permission to operate the entrance fee, coffee shop, and restaurant at the tourist spot. We also invited bids for the income contract for Tatopani Kund in Ratopani, but since no one received a bid, we are preparing to publish the notice again", he said.

Hotels operating in the Khopra area of ​​the rural municipality are charged an annual business tax of Rs 30,000 each and Rs 36,000 for the use of public land. The rural municipality has also been collecting business tax from hotels, restaurants, and coffee shops located in Mohareydanda, Rupse Chhahara, Ghorepani, Chotepa, and Humkhola areas of Annapurna Base Camp.

A target of Rs 14.7 million has been set. In the fiscal year 2021/22, the municipality had collected Rs 14.5 million in revenue.