Upper House passes proposal to consider Appropriation Bill

KATHMANDU:-  A meeting of the National Assembly (NA) on Monday passed a proposal that was tabled seeking consideration on the Appropriation Bill, along with a message received from the House of Representatives (HoR).     

Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Walge tabled the proposal to initiate deliberations on the Bill, which was endorsed by a majority vote.     

In his response to concerns raised during the deliberations, the Minister said the tax enforced on education, health, and electricity sector is meant for the benefits of citizens. The progressive tax on private schools, to be implemented from the upcoming fiscal year, is based on the principle that “who can afford should contribute more to support those who cannot”.     

He added that one-third of students in the country are in the community schools. Likewise, the tax exemption threshold has been increased, targeting relief for middle-income earners.     

The Finance Minister further said that the budget for constitutional bodies could not be increased as budget ceiling had already been fixed before the incumbent government assumed office. He added that the government has announced budget and programmes for the upcoming fiscal year with the objective of achieving ambitious economic development goals.     

Earlier, lawmakers Padam Bahadur Pariyar, Madan Kumari Shah (Garima), Roshani Meche, Narayan Dutta Mishra, Somnath Portel, and Bishnu Kumari Sapkota had expressed their views on the proposal, while taking part in the deliberations.     

The NA shall meet again at 1:15 pm on July 1.(RSS)