RPP’s Shahi demands probe into budget leak & EV tax issues

KATHMANDU: Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) parliamentary leader and MP Gyan Bahadur Shahi has demanded the formation of a parliamentary inquiry committee to investigate alleged budget information leaks and irregularities in electric vehicle (EV) tax adjustments, while strongly criticizing the government’s overall governance.

Speaking at Friday’s meeting of the House of Representatives, MP Shahi accused the government of failing to uphold good governance despite repeatedly promoting it as a core agenda.

He claimed that major corruption-related issues were being covered up and that those responsible were being protected instead of held accountable.

He specifically raised concerns over alleged tax evasion and manipulation in the EV sector and claimed that confidential budget-related information had been leaked. Shahi also alleged that the government ignored findings mentioned in the Office of the Auditor General’s report.

“The government is increasing public suffering by cutting health insurance for poor citizens, imposing taxes on patients undergoing treatment in hospitals, and adding VAT on electricity bills,” Shahi said, adding that such decisions were anti-people and unacceptable.

He also questioned recent administrative actions related to customs and revenue policies, including reports that the Prime Minister’s Office had held imported electric vehicles under control for nearly two weeks.

Shahi further argued that academic qualifications alone do not guarantee integrity, citing former finance ministers including Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat, Dr. Prakash Chandra Mahat, and Dr. Yuba Raj Khatiwada in reference to past controversies.

He also criticized the treatment of smaller parties in Parliament, stating that legislative value should not be determined by numbers but by procedure and policy. According to him, the current government’s working style shows little difference from past administrations despite changes in leadership.

“Earlier, physical attacks were used to suppress dissent; today, character assassination is carried out through digital means,” he said, adding that the tendency to suppress disagreement remains unchanged.

Shahi concluded by urging the government to form an impartial parliamentary committee to uncover the truth, ensure accountability, and bring those responsible to legal justice.