Government Spokesperson Defends Finance Minister Against Budget Allegations

Kathmandu. Government spokesperson and Minister for Education and Sports, Sashmit Pokharel, has defended Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle against serious allegations leveled against him. The government has defended Finance Minister Wagle amidst intense criticism that he altered tax rates in the upcoming fiscal year's budget to favor vested interests.

Speaking to journalists, spokesperson Pokharel stated that the Finance Minister had brought the budget with great effort and that the government fully supported it. He informed that no negative discussions or disputes arose in the cabinet meeting regarding the budget preparation and changes in tax policies.

Defending the Finance Minister, spokesperson Pokharel said, 'The Finance Minister has brought the budget with great effort, and we have full support for it.'

The issue became controversial after Finance Minister Wagle presented the economic bill in parliament and secretly altered tax rates without informing the parliament and people's representatives. Opposition parties have been claiming that revenue and tax rates were manipulated in collusion with certain business houses and vested interests.

Demanding immediate parliamentary investigation into this matter, the opposition has stated that the parliament's dignity has been insulted and economic discipline violated, and that Finance Minister Wagle should be investigated.