Kathmandu: During a session of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, CPN-UML lawmaker Kshitiz Thebe levelled explosive allegations of widespread financial misconduct regarding the determination of tax rates for electric vehicles (EVs).
He asserted that the tax brackets for EVs priced between 2 and 3 million rupees were deliberately manipulated within the Economic Bill presented on May 28, suggesting a deep-seated conspiracy rather than a mere administrative oversight.
The lawmaker highlighted a glaring inconsistency between the official bill registered in the federal parliament and the version subsequently uploaded to the Ministry of Finance’s website. While the government initially dismissed these variations as “human error” or simple “typing mistakes,” Thebe argued that the Ministry’s actions, specifically removing the document and re-uploading a modified version, reveal a calculated intent.
He contended that these tactical adjustments point toward a grave legislative conspiracy designed to benefit specific interests under the guise of an accident.
Adding weight to his claims, Thebe noted that the suspension of several customs officials in connection with this matter further validates the suspicions of deep-rooted irregularity. He utilized a vivid metaphor to describe the potential scale of the alleged kickbacks, remarking that if the financial gains from this manipulation were converted into physical cash, a single porter would be unable to carry the load; instead, it would require a large truck to transport the illicit earnings.
Concluding his address, the CPN-UML lawmaker urged the parliament to treat the discrepancy between official documents and public records with the utmost seriousness, as it undermines the sanctity of the legislature. He maintained that the Finance Minister must accept full moral responsibility for this breach of legislative integrity. Furthermore, he issued a stern warning that the CPN-UML will persist with its protests and obstruction until the government provides a satisfactory explanation and ensures total transparency in the tax-setting process.
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