KATHMANDU: Birgunj Customs Office has decided to impose sanctions against 186 firms and companies that have not filed unpaid amounts.

The Customs Office informed that it decided to suspend transactions of 126 companies, including Nepal Telecom, Valley Coldstore, Patanjali Ayurveda, and Orchid International, among others.

Harihar Poudel, head of Birgunj Customs, said the decision was taken as those companies did not pay their dues despite repeated reminders. He said that these firms have yet to settle amounts starting from Rs 4,000 to Rs 4 million.

According to the customs office, some companies have not paid their dues since the fiscal year 2004/2005. The total arrears of such companies are more than 170 million. The customs office is confident that the companies will be forced to pay the arrears after the decision to stop the business.