KATHMANDU, June 12: Former Finance Minister and Nepali Communist Party (NCP) lawmaker Barshaman Pun has accused Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle of “financial wrongdoing” over alleged changes in tax rates, demanding a parliamentary investigation.
Speaking in Friday’s meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR), Pun said the Finance Minister’s remarks from the rostrum amounted to an admission of altering tax rates, calling it unacceptable and subject to probe.
Revised interest rate corridor system introduced
He said the government’s response undermined Parliament and its committees. “We had given the Finance Minister the benefit of the doubt. Issues were raised during zero hour and special hour. But the way he responded during budget discussions in the Public Accounts Committee and Parliament undermines parliamentary processes,” he said. “There was an attempt to intimidate, which we strongly oppose.”
Pun stressed that questions raised by lawmakers should be treated as clarifications, not allegations. “The Finance Minister admitted changing seven tax rates. That is financial wrongdoing,” he said. “We only sought clarification, but he responded by saying, ‘Yes, I did it—what can you do?’ This requires a ruling and an investigation.”
He also referred to Wagle’s remarks on tax adjustments in previous budgets and said scrutiny was necessary. Pun added that Wagle had suggested forming a probe committee excluding senior lawmakers.
Citing tax exemptions on vehicles priced under Rs 2 million, Pun said details were widely known and argued that Cabinet approval does not allow a minister to independently alter tax rates. “This undermines parliamentary supremacy and disrespects Parliament,” he said.
He added that budgets may contain technical inconsistencies but must still be reviewed, citing past precedents of investigative committees formed over budget-related issues. “Let the file be opened—from my side as well. An investigation should happen. But no one can justify saying, ‘He did it before, so I will do it too,’” he said.
