Pokhara, September 14

Locals staged a protest rally against tax hike in Pokhara Metropolitan City today.

The rally that started from Human Rights Chowk made a round of city through BP Chowk and converged into a mass rally in front of metropolitan city office gate at New Road.

Protesters shouted slogans against the against the tax hike by the metropolis. The rally was led by Tamuwan-Magarat Struggle Committee.

Addressing the rally, Tamuwan-Magarat Struggle Committee Coordinator Karma Tamu accused political parties of gifting people inflation and hardships. He condemned Gandaki Province Chief Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung’s remarks that a red light area should be designated in Pokhara.

Pokhara chapter of Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry chair Biswoshankar Palikhe alleged that despite their repeated pleas, the metropolis had raised taxes. Palikhe said their agitation would continue until the tax hike decision was revoked.

After the rally, a memorandum was submitted to Mayor Man Bahadur GC. Receiving the memorandum, GC said they had formed Tax Determination Committee to finalise the tax issue.