KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has directed the Medical Education Commission's task force formed to recommend MBBS fees, to reduce the proposed fee structure.

"In times of the COVID-19 crisis, the decision to inflate the fees by the government will have negative consequences. We should charge as much as last year," said PM Oli amid the 5th meeting of the commission held at the Baluwatar-based PM's residence, on Saturday.

The commission had proposed to hike the fees of MBBS degree by NRs 0.8 million for the upcoming academic session of 2077-78. However, PM Oli, who is also the chairperson of the task force has declined the proposal.

"Let us postpone the proposal of increasing the prices. If suitable let us rather consider decreasing the fees," PM Oli shared.

Citing multiple reasons, the task force had proposed to charge 4.8 million rupees for the aforementioned academic session by increasing the already exorbitant fees priced at 4.023 rupees millions.