KATHMANDU: The National Assembly has majority-approved a proposal to consider the Appropriation Bill, 2026, which was received with a message from the House of Representatives.

Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle tabled the proposal during Monday’s session.

Responding to lawmakers’ concerns during the budget discussion, Finance Minister Wagle clarified that minor taxes were introduced on education, health, and electricity to serve the broader public interest.

Highlighting that three-quarters of the country’s students attend community schools, he defended the new tax on private schools as a progressive measure aimed at wealth redistribution.

He also noted that the income tax threshold was raised to provide relief to the middle class.

Prior to the approval, lawmakers Padam Bahadur Pariyar, Madan Kumari Shah (Garima), Roshani Meche, Narayan Datta Mishra, Som Nath Portel, and Bishnu Kumari Sapkota participated in the deliberations.

The National Assembly is scheduled to meet next on July 1 at 1:15 PM.