Kathmandu, February 20:

Senior Maoist leader and Finance Minister Dr Babu Ram Bhattarai recalled his college life, while addressing a programme organised by the Maoist-affiliated All Nepal National Independent Students’ Union-Revolutionary (ANNISU-R) at Amrit Science College (ASCOL) here today.

Dr Bhattarai studied in the college in the early 1970s. He started his political career as

a student leader from the college nearly four decades ago.

“While doing practical in the science lab, we used to dream of making Nepal

as competent as America or the European countries. But we were forced to

leave pens and carry guns for the political transformation of the country. We felt that people’s aspirations couldn’t be met without the political transformation,” he reminisced.

He also remembered that the college used to be a top college in the past. “But now, the college is not as reputed as it used to be in the past.

I assure you that the government will help the college retain its past glory,” Dr Bhattarai said.

He further added that the Maoist-led government would guarantee education, employment and health facilities to all.”

Saying that the government had succeeded in collecting the revenue as per the target, Dr Bhattarai urged the private schools to pay the five per cent education service tax (EST) to the government, as the money will be used to educate children in the remote Karnali region.

“The amount collected from the EST will be used to ensure free education up to higher secondary level,” Dr Bhattarai said, adding, “The government needs Rs 32 billion for the purpose.”

The Finance Minister also warned the private schools, failing to pay the EST, with dire

consequences.

Dr Bhattarai also said the ANNISU-R would win the free student union polls, as it the union had the vision to lead the students of science and technology sectors. FSU polls TU and Nepal Sanskrit University campuses are scheduled for nest month.

Constituent Assembly member of the Unified CPN-Maoist Eak Raj Bhandari said the students

of Amrit Science College had always struggled for the benefit and welfare of the students.

ANNISU-R general secretary Himal Sharma said they were working to restore peace and ensure change in the country.

“Our major thrust is on scientific and people-oriented education,” Sharma added.