KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa has welcomed the government’s decision to abolish the 3 percent equity tax imposed on the education and health sectors from the current fiscal year.
In a post on social media on Tuesday, Thapa said the provision to levy the equity tax on education and health services had been inappropriate from the outset, adding that the Nepali Congress had consistently opposed the measure.
He argued that education and healthcare should not be treated as luxury services and said not all citizens who choose private schools or hospitals are financially well-off.
“Not everyone who opts for private hospitals and schools is wealthy. For many, it is not a luxury but a necessity,” Thapa wrote. “The private sector is an integral partner in the country’s education and healthcare system. Policies that impose additional taxes or fees on service delivery do not solve existing problems.”
Thapa also stressed that the government should ensure the decision is implemented effectively by following the necessary legal and administrative procedures.
The government’s decision to remove the 3 percent equity tax from education and health services has drawn reactions from various political parties and stakeholders.
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