“The government´s commitment to support NAC in purchasing new aircraft will continue next fiscal year also. We have not withdrawn the previous government´s decision,” Pandey told the press conference on Tuesday. “The process to purchase new aircraft for NAC will proceed unaffected,” Pandey added.
Indicating at the agitation staged by different civil servants organizations that are dissatisfied with the government´s not increasing their salaries and allowances as per their demands, Minister Pandey said any issues can be settled through dialogue.
“I am confident that we can settle the problem through dialogue with our employees as they are also a part of the government,” said Pandey.
Civil servants were protesting outside when Pandey was addressing the press at the Ministry of Finance. Pandey had announced “some increment in the form of dearness allowances” for civil servant keeping in view the rising prices of commodities.
Pandey also said the present government is not only committed to raising revenue volume but also to increasing capital expenditure simultaneously.
Clarifying on the fate of three state owned enterprises, which the previous government had decided to revive by injecting government budget, Pandey said feasible measures will be sought to run two public enterprises -- Birgunj Sugar Mills and Hetauda Textile. He, however, said the government cannot do anything in the case of Agriculture Tools Company as the matter is sub judice.
Responding to the criticism from some economists that the size of the budget is beyond what the economy can support, Yuba Raj Khatiwada, vice-chairman of National Planning Commission, said the volume was increased in view of different factors including rising aspiration of people and demand for development budget from CA members.
Finance secretary Rameswore Khanal clarified that VAT imposed on housing sector in the budget is meant for only contractors undertaking construction works of over Rs 5 million. “It is not meant for buying and selling of housing apartments,” Khanal added. He also said 10 percent capital gain tax will be levied on the profit gained by selling property within five years of purchase. If the property is sold within 10 years then the capital gain tax will be five percent.
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