KATHMANDU: Transport entrepreneurs have urged the government to provide customs concessions on the import of electric vehicle (EV) parts, arguing that the move would help promote an environment-friendly transport system.
A delegation led by Punya Prasad (Saroj) Sitaula, chairperson of the Nepal National Federation of Transport Entrepreneurs, submitted an 11-point memorandum to Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle on Monday.
The delegation urged the government to take immediate measures to address problems facing the transport sector.
The Federation said the transport sector currently involves investments worth around Rs 13 billion and provides livelihoods to around four million families.
The entrepreneurs also urged the government to implement the report submitted by a probe commission led by former government secretary Dipak Subedi.
They called for the timely revision of the Motor Insurance Rate Directive 2073 and urged the government to issue necessary directions to the Nepal Insurance Authority accordingly.
The Federation proposed establishing an “accident relief fund” by imposing an additional fee of Re 1 per litre on petrol and diesel and Re 1 per unit on electricity used by electric vehicles.
It proposed that the fund be further strengthened through an allocation equivalent to one percent of insurance premiums, along with additional government funding.
The entrepreneurs also called for stricter provisions governing vehicle imports, the abolition of the 72-hour facility provided to Indian freight and passenger vehicles, amendments to the Company Act and implementation of a uniform tax system.
They also urged the government to establish a powerful transport authority to effectively regulate and develop the transport sector.
The Federation further requested the government to reconsider the operating hours of tipper trucks in the Kathmandu Valley.
Receiving the memorandum, Finance Minister Wagle assured the delegation that the government would address genuine demands raised by the transport sector.
He said the Ministry of Finance would conduct the necessary study on the demands put forward by transport entrepreneurs and take appropriate measures accordingly.
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