Student Unions Protest Demanding 45% Transport Fare Discount in Kathmandu

Kathmandu. The joint student organizations of Saraswati Multiple Campus held a symbolic protest demanding the implementation of the 45 percent transport fare discount for students.

On Thursday, students staged a demonstration with slogans asking, 'Where is the 45% student discount?'. Previously, the Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs had clarified that it would not be possible to implement student concessions while the government has cut the tax exemption facilities provided to entrepreneurs.

According to the entrepreneurs, as per the agreement reached in the year वि.सं. 2065, the government was to provide a 60 percent discount on annual taxes, route permits, and inspection fees in exchange for the 45 percent fare discount provided by entrepreneurs.

However, after the country transitioned to federalism, provincial governments, except for Koshi Province, have removed the 60 percent tax exemption facility since the fiscal year 2073.

The Federation has sent a letter to the Department of Transport Management, maintaining that it cannot implement the fare discount alone when the government-provided facilities have been removed and there is a lack of coordination between the central and provincial governments.

The entrepreneurs have concluded that the student fare discount circular cannot be implemented until the tax exemptions for entrepreneurs are legally guaranteed. Meanwhile, students have launched pressure programs, asserting that their legal rights must be protected.