National
NC to discuss ways to lower tax rates
Claiming that the local governments are imposing random taxes on the public, Nepali Congress has called all of its heads and deputies of the local governments in Kathmandu on August 27 to discuss ways to minimise taxation.Tika R Pradhan
Claiming that the local governments are imposing random taxes on the public, Nepali Congress has called all of its heads and deputies of the local governments in Kathmandu on August 27 to discuss ways to minimise taxation.
NC’s move has come at a time when haphazard taxation by the local governments has burdened the citizens.
The unsystematic hikes in tax, fees, and surcharges imposed by the local governments have caused public uproar across the country.
Leaders of Nepali Congress have been expressing serious concern over the hike, and have cautioned the concerned parties against imposing unnecessary taxes.
The party’s spokesperson, Bishwo Prakash Sharma, said on Sunday that the government should not forget the practical aspect of justifiable taxation.
The party has also cautioned the government to take immediate action to resolve the issue.
“The party is in favour of tax rates that average people can pay. The party would find out the sort of taxes that are being collected and discuss the ways to manage them properly,” Sharma said, adding that the party’s foremost priority is to lower the tax rates at the NC-led local levels.
The heads of the local governments have defended their move saying that low distribution of resources and their growing responsibilities have forced them to find additional ways to raise revenue.
Talking to the Post, Raju Gurung, chairman of the Siranchok Rural Municipality of Gorkha, commented that the local governments cannot survive without imposing taxes.