Kathmandu, June 15

The government has transferred the responsibility of the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration to the Ministry of Health and Population regarding the purchase of ambulances by local levels.

According to MoFAGA, now the MoHP will be responsible for recommending customs duty exemption on ambulances to be purchased by local levels to the Ministry of Finance.

Earlier, the MoFAGA was tasked with the responsibility of making the recommendation to the MoF. As per the ‘Standards on Exemption of Customs Duty on Ambulances to be Purchased by Local Levels-2018, local levels can purchase duty free emergency vehicles on the recommendation of the MoHP.

The standards stipulate a provision of granting exemption of customs duty to metropolitan city/ sub-metropolitan city on the purchase of maximum three ambulances, while municipalities/rural municipalities shall get such exemption for up to two ambulances. However, the concerned local level has to pay one per cent customs duty on import transit.

After obtaining prior consent from the MoF, the concerned local level should again submit an application requesting exemption of customs duty on ambulances. The standard aims to increase people’s access to ambulance service at local levels.

Any local level may not import another ambulance as replacement for the existing one until completion of five years after purchase of the emergency vehicle, except in cases where the ambulance is not in operational state due to accident. The local levels concerned should abide by the terms and conditions specified in the standards while operating ambulances.

The ambulance shall be operated on the basis of decision taken by the executive of the local level. Priority shall be given to local patients by charging minimum fee.

The power to determine ambulance fare rests with the MoHP. If the ambulance is not operated for the purpose for which it was purchased, it shall be confiscated and the local level shall be liable to pay fine under the Financial Act, according to the standards.

As many as 88 local levels have enjoyed exemption of customs duty on ambulances in fiscal 2018-19.