Banking News – Rajendra Malla, former President of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce, has criticized the government’s proposal to impose a 3 percent tax on private health and education services, warning that the additional financial burden will ultimately fall on the public.

Malla said that healthcare and education are fundamental public necessities, and taxing these essential services would directly increase costs for ordinary citizens who rely on them.

He noted that most people choose private schools and hospitals not out of preference, but because public institutions often lack adequate quality, capacity, and accessibility.

“If the government intends to implement such a tax, it should first ensure that all citizens have access to quality, sufficient, and affordable public healthcare and education services,” Malla said.

While acknowledging that increasing government revenue is important, Malla argued that ensuring affordable access to essential services should take precedence over imposing additional taxes on health and education.

He urged the government to reconsider the proposed tax policy and make decisions that place the interests and welfare of citizens at the center of fiscal policymaking.