Kathmandu [Nepal] July 9 – Nepal’s National Assembly on Thursday passed the Finance Bill, 2083, clearing another legislative hurdle for the government’s budget as the bill now returns to the House of Representatives for final procedures.
Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle presented the bill for clause-wise discussion along with the message received from the House of Representatives. The Upper House approved his proposal by a majority vote before endorsing the bill without any amendments.
Before the vote, Wagle urged the National Assembly to pass the bill without additional comments and send it back to the lower house.
Despite the bill’s passage, lawmakers voiced concerns over provisions related to taxation. During the discussion, National Assembly members Dr Prem Dangal, Samjhana Devkota, Roshani Meche and Somnath Portel questioned the government’s decision to impose taxes on the education and health sectors, calling for greater sensitivity in areas that directly affect public welfare.
Separately, during the zero hour, members urged the government to ensure food security and safe housing for landless squatters, pressing authorities to address the needs of vulnerable communities alongside the implementation of the new fiscal measures.
The Finance Bill forms a key part of the legal framework required to implement the government’s budget for the current fiscal year.
