KATHMANDU, March 1 (PTI): Amid stepped up pressure on casino owners in Nepal, Indian 'Casino King' Rakesh Wadhwa has expressed his willingness to clear all tax liabilities if the government withdraws an arrest warrant issued against him.
Most of the casinos in Nepal have failed to clear their tax liabilities. Wadhwa, who is in New Delhi for the past four months after Nepalese authorities issued arrest warrant against him, sought more time to clear all his tax liabilities.
"I have no intention to avoid paying taxes and staff salaries, but I need some time to clear all tax dues," Prakash Thapa, Casino Nepal's trade union president, quoted Wadhwa as saying.
Thapa along with other trade union leaders had gone to India to meet him and request the release of staff salaries.
"We asked Wadhwa to release our salary and allowances and pay his tax liabilities to the government for smooth operation of the casino," Thapa said in the capital.
Wadhwa told him that he wanted to return to Nepal and clear all dues if the arrest warrant is withdrawn and favourable atmosphere is created for him to run his business.
Presently, only five-star hotels are entitled to operate casinos on their premises. Wadhwa runs four casinos in Nepal - Casino Tara and Casino Everest, Casino Nepal and Casino Anna. Casino Nepal and Casino Anna - have tax liabilities of NRs. 24 crore.
Last month, the government began the process to close down some of the casinos in Nepal that attracts thousands of foreign tourists, mostly Indians, after recommendations from the finance ministry for tax evasions.
Even though gambling is illegal in Nepal, eight hotels in the capital and two in the popular tourist town of Pokhara run casinos under special government permits that bars local people.
The government is considering lifting the ban on Nepalese in casinos by formulating regulations that allows big tax payers to gamble, sources said.
Most of the casinos in Nepal have failed to clear their tax liabilities. Wadhwa, who is in New Delhi for the past four months after Nepalese authorities issued arrest warrant against him, sought more time to clear all his tax liabilities.
"I have no intention to avoid paying taxes and staff salaries, but I need some time to clear all tax dues," Prakash Thapa, Casino Nepal's trade union president, quoted Wadhwa as saying.
Thapa along with other trade union leaders had gone to India to meet him and request the release of staff salaries.
"We asked Wadhwa to release our salary and allowances and pay his tax liabilities to the government for smooth operation of the casino," Thapa said in the capital.
Wadhwa told him that he wanted to return to Nepal and clear all dues if the arrest warrant is withdrawn and favourable atmosphere is created for him to run his business.
Presently, only five-star hotels are entitled to operate casinos on their premises. Wadhwa runs four casinos in Nepal - Casino Tara and Casino Everest, Casino Nepal and Casino Anna. Casino Nepal and Casino Anna - have tax liabilities of NRs. 24 crore.
Last month, the government began the process to close down some of the casinos in Nepal that attracts thousands of foreign tourists, mostly Indians, after recommendations from the finance ministry for tax evasions.
Even though gambling is illegal in Nepal, eight hotels in the capital and two in the popular tourist town of Pokhara run casinos under special government permits that bars local people.
The government is considering lifting the ban on Nepalese in casinos by formulating regulations that allows big tax payers to gamble, sources said.
