The requests -- in which Shah has given consent to pay taxes and unpaid bills of the period after the country was converted into a republican state -- were made through a letter sent around two weeks ago.
In the letter, Shah has inquired about the taxes he and his family members have to pay on properties at Nirmal Niwas, Jivan Kunj and Shova Griha.
Currently, Shah and his family members are personally using Nirmal Niwas and Jivan Kunj, whereas Shova Griha is rented. He has also sought information about the rental tax dues of Shova Griha that he owes to the government. The finance ministry has already forwarded the request to Kathmandu Metropolitan City.
However, even the government officials are at a fix over how to collect land tax from the former king, as the king and his family members have expressed interest to pay unpaid tax dues of the period only after republican state was formed. But Finance Minister Surendra Pandey said no concessions will be given to the former royal family members.
In the letter, Shah has also asked for the details of unpaid electricity, telephone and water bills that he and his family have to settle. Shah has said he and his family members use 24 telephone lines, of which seven are being used in Shital Niwas, five by Prerana and three at Jiwan Kunj, Dilasha, Shova and Shitashma, respectively. He has attached a letter sent by Nepal Telecom last year requesting payments of the due amounts owed by his family.
However, the government is still verifying the authenticity of the letter as it was not signed. The ministry has asked the person who delivered the letter to bring letter of consent from the author to accumulate the information.
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