Kathmandu, July 30-Birgunj’s business community launched protest programs on July 29 against the hike in different tax rates by the Birgunj Metropolitan City.
Around three dozen associations of traders and businessmen of Birgunj–the only metropolitan city in Province 2—staged demonstration in major areas of the city by asking for nullifying the decision to increase tax rates.
They also submitted a memorandum to Mayor of Birgunj Metropolitan City, Bijaya Saraogi, urging for immediate nullification of the decision to increase existing tax rates and impose new taxes. Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) had organized a press conference on July 28 to announce the protest programs.
The metropolitan has increased taxes by a massive 20 times. It has not only levied tax on the buying and selling of scrap materials but also increases tax on the transactions of land and property. Similarly, it has imposed a new tax on the import of petroleum products via the city.
A major chunk of petroleum products imported to Nepal from India comes through Birgunj Customs Office
