Rs250 purchase earns Kanchanpur consumer Rs1 million jackpot

A Nepali consumer has won a significant Rs1 million (approximately $7,500 USD) prize through the government's Taxpayer Incentive Gift Programme. Yagya Banjade reported that the lucky winner made a modest purchase of Rs250 ($1.88 USD) at the Shiva Krishna General Store in Punarbas Municipality, Kanchanpur district.

The lottery, launched by the Inland Revenue Department, incentivizes consumers to demand official bills for their purchases. Participants could enter by making purchases between July 17 and July 31 using digital payment channels or by uploading their bills for cash transactions to the department's website. On Friday, 15 consumers were awarded daily prizes of Rs100,000 each, with one grand prize winner selected for the Rs1 million jackpot.

Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle introduced the program in the fiscal year 2026-27 budget to foster transparency and encourage bill issuance. Winners are selected twice monthly. Consumers paying via QR code are automatically entered, provided they retain their bills. Those paying with cash must request a PAN or VAT bill, upload it to the Inland Revenue Department's website, and obtain a coupon to qualify for the lottery. The prize money is subject to applicable taxes.