Miscellaneous
Deliberation begins on appropriation bill
Discussion on the appropriation bill began in the Legislature-Parliament on Monday with lawmakers debating the budget allocated for seven ministries— Commerce, Science and Technology, Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Irrigation, General Administration, and Livestock Development.Discussion on the appropriation bill began in the Legislature-Parliament on Monday with lawmakers debating the budget allocated for seven ministries— Commerce, Science and Technology, Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Irrigation, General Administration, and Livestock Development.
Deliberation on the allocation for the Ministry of Supplies was postponed after the opposition Nepali Congress demanded a halt in the process arguing that its lawmakers had not received the budget book of the respective ministry. Following the obstruction, Speaker Onsari Gharti adjourned the meeting for half an hour to talk to the NC. Discussion resumed after the ruling parties agreed to take the ministry off Monday’s agenda.
Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel on May 29 presented a bloated budget of Rs1048.92 billion, exceeding the Rs909 billion ceiling set by the National Planning Commission.
The Parliament Secretariat has announced to complete the discussion on July 1 while the budget bill will be tabled for endorsement in the first week of July.
Prem Suwal of the Nepal Majdoor Kisan party proposed curtailing expenses for the ministries of General Administration and Culture, among others. Lawmaker Anuradha Thapa Magar demanded cuts in expenditures of the ministries of Population and Environment, Irrigation, Supplies, and Livestock Development.
It was a matter of shame as the European Union is still worried about air safety in Nepal, Nepali Congress leader Ram Sharan Mahat said at the House meeting.
He also raised concerns over removal of programmes introduced by previous governments, drawing the government’s attention to a fall in remittance and the growing trade deficit.
Rajan Bhattarai of the ruling CPN-UML said the goal of economic development would be achieved if the budget was effectively implemented.