Kathmandu. The Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs (FNNTE) has urged Finance Minister Khatiwada to waive customs duty on EV spare parts and encourage environment-friendly vehicles.

A team led by FNCCI President Punya Prasad Sitaula submitted an 11-point demand letter to Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle seeking to resolve existing problems existing in the transport sector.

The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has demanded that the government take immediate steps for the security of 40 lakh families dependent on the investment of Rs 1300 billion in the public transport sector.

The FNCCI has also urged the government to immediately implement the report submitted by the probe commission led by former secretary Deepak Subedi, to revise the Motor Insurance Directive-2073 BS in a timely manner and to issue necessary directives to the Insurance Authority.

Similarly, the government has proposed to set up an accident relief fund by charging one rupee per liter of fuel (diesel and petrol) and one rupee per unit on electric vehicles. It has also demanded one percent of the insurance premium and the government to strengthen the fund by allocating the amount.

Likewise, the Federation of Nepalese Automobile Manufacturers (FNCCI) has demanded to ban the import of vehicles, scrap 72-hour facility to Indian cargo and passenger vehicles, amend the Companies Act and implement uniform tax system.

He also requested the government to arrange grants for technology-friendly vehicles, form a powerful transport authority for effective regulation and development of transport sector and review the timing of tipper operation in Kathmandu Valley.

Receiving the memorandum, Finance Minister Dr Wagle said the government was positive to address genuine demands of the transport sector. He assured that the Ministry would carry out necessary study regarding the demands of entrepreneurs and take appropriate steps.