Kathmandu, November 10:

The Nepal Students’ Union today demanded that the government roll back the decision to impose five per cent education service tax on educational institutions claiming that the taxation would affect the students ultimately.

An NSU delegation today submitted a seven-point charter of demands at the Ministry of Education. The NSU demanded that more funds be earmarked for the education sector. “Compared to other sectors, less budget was allocated for the education sector this fiscal,” the NSU claimed.

“There should be no room for political appointees in universities,” stated the memorandum signed by Pradip Poudel, president, NSU. Poudel also called on the government to take steps to make higher education free.

In another statement, Ram Prasad Adhikary, the press and publicity chief of the NSU, said the Education Minister did not attend a meeting scheduled with the NSU delegation today. “The NSU will stage a protest against the minister’s act.”

To protest the act, NSU cadres will hoist black flags at all educational institutions throughout the country tomorrow.

Protesting the minister’s refusal to attend the meeting, NSU delegates led by Poudel staged a sit-in in front of the ministry today. They also enforced a 15-minute chakka jam.