KATHMANDU, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Nepali government has rejected former king Gyanendra Shah's plea for tax waiver on his personal and family property, including utility bills.

    According to Wednesday's The Kathmandu Post, a meeting of the cabinet committee on bills Tuesday decided to ask the former king to clear all outstanding dues since being deposed after the Constituent Assembly election in 2008.

    According to the latest decision, he will also have to pay electricity, telephone and water bills.

    "Now he is a common citizen and will have to pay all taxes as other citizens," said Minister for Law and Justice Prem Bahadur Singh.

    The former king had written to the Finance Ministry in August 2009 requesting tax waiver. He had also sought details of unpaid taxes and bills after the country turned into a republic.

    According to sources, outstanding dues and tax liabilities will cost the former monarch a whopping 200 million Nepali rupees (some2.7 million U.S. dollars).

    Before the republic, the then palace had enjoyed a complete tax holiday. The former king was interested in paying taxes after Nepal turned into a republic.

    "The decision brings him and his family under the tax net. He has to pay taxes and related liabilities after May, 8, 2008. The government will collect taxes and tariffs as he has become a common citizen," said Singh.