Er.energyNP@Gmail.com

The secretariat of Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle has denied reports claiming that an agreement has been reached to restore the value-added tax (VAT) exemption on electricity bills.

The secretariat issued the clarification after reports and publicity linked Finance Minister Wagle’s name to an alleged “principled agreement” to return the VAT exemption on electricity consumption.

According to the secretariat, the Finance Minister did not hold any meeting or discussion on the issue on Sunday evening or at any time during the past week, contrary to claims circulating publicly.

The secretariat said the reports suggesting that Wagle had held discussions and reached a principled agreement on restoring the VAT exemption were inaccurate.

It clarified that the Finance Minister’s position on VAT on electricity remains consistent with the views he has expressed during meetings of both the House of Representatives and the National Assembly.

“Further discussions and studies are being carried out by the concerned government agencies regarding the issue of VAT on electricity, including measures to facilitate the matter and provide relief to consumers,” the secretariat said.

The clarification indicates that no decision or agreement has yet been reached to restore the VAT exemption on electricity.

The issue has become a subject of discussion amid calls for relief to electricity consumers. The Finance Ministry and relevant government agencies are studying the matter in line with the government’s broader consideration of measures that could reduce the financial burden on consumers.

The Finance Minister’s secretariat has therefore urged stakeholders and the public not to interpret ongoing discussions and studies as a finalized government decision.

For now, the government’s position is that the matter remains under review, with relevant agencies examining possible measures for consumer relief.