The Supreme Court of Nepal on 17 August directed the government to impose a 50 paisa (0.5 Rupee) pollution fee on every litre of petrol and diesel purchased in Kathmandu Valley. The fee collected will be invested for the conservation of the Valley’s environment. A division bench of justices Ram Nagina Singh and Anup Raj Sharma issued the verdict under Section 22 (1) of Finance Act 1996 responding to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Bhoj Raj Air. He accused government of not collecting the amount from consumers. Citing Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) data, he claimed the government can collect around Rs 40 million annually. The SC has directed the Prime Minister’s Office and the Cabinet, finance minister, minister of population and environment, and NOC, to strictly implement the Act.

Source: The Himalayan Times, 18 August 2004