KATHMANDU, April 7 (Xinhua) -- The Nepali government on Tuesday decided to cut taxes on petroleum products to ease the financial burden on consumers, as fuel prices have risen sharply due to the ongoing Middle East conflict.
A cabinet meeting held on Tuesday decided to reduce customs duty and infrastructure tax on petrol, diesel and kerosene by 50 percent, Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration Pratibha Rawal told journalists.
Besides the customs duty and infrastructure tax, the Nepali government has also been levying additional taxes and charges, including value-added tax (VAT), road maintenance tax, price stabilization fund charges, pollution tax and green tax.
Since the conflict began, Nepal Oil Corporation has been hiking oil prices, citing rising prices in the international market.
The Nepal government has already implemented a two-day weekend, including holidays on Sundays for government offices and educational institutions. "An odd-even vehicle operation system can also be implemented," Rawal said. ■