Kathmandu-CPN-UML Secretary and MP Padma Aryal has demanded that the government answer allegations of tax evasion, revenue leakage, and economic crimes linked to the import of BYD electric vehicles.

Raising the issue in Parliament, Aryal questioned reports that information on upcoming tax changes was leaked before the national budget was unveiled, allowing hundreds of BYD vehicles to be cleared through customs using documentation before their physical arrival.

'The BYD vehicle scandal has become public. Through collusion with customs officials and manipulation of documents, vehicles were cleared before they even arrived in Nepal,' she said.

Calling the matter serious, Aryal alleged there were clear indications of corruption in the case.

'This is not merely a suspicion. There are clear signs of wrongdoing. Corruption has taken place, and we can state that with confidence,' she told Parliament.

Aryal also raised concerns over alleged alterations to tax rates and details in the Economic Bill presented by Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle, demanding an immediate investigation.

'The changes made to the Economic Bill and tax rates are now widely known. Why is one figure presented in Parliament and another inserted later at the ministry? The state has been defrauded through overnight tax evasion, amounting to an economic crime,' she said.

Lawmakers have argued that the alleged leak of tax information before the budget announcement warrants a parliamentary investigation committee.

During the session, MPs from opposition parties, including the Nepali Congress, as well as Santosh Subba, Harka Raj Sampang Rai, Gyanendra Shahi and Barshaman Pun, called for a thorough investigation into the reported tax-rate changes and alleged irregularities in vehicle imports from China, urging action against those found responsible.

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