Kathmandu: The lawmakers continued discussion on various headings under 10 ministries in the meeting of the House of Representatives today. They expressed views for and against the budget allocations on different topics during the deliberation.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Nepali Congress lawmaker and former Finance Minister Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat emphasized the importance of focusing on the effective implementation of the budget rather than merely discussing allocation amounts. He argued that the budget allocation was based on the availability of resources.
UML lawmaker and former Tourism Minister Yogesh Bhattarai criticized the budget-making process for not being inclusive, which he believes led to several issues. He advocated for the establishment of a development council in each province to design the budget in a participatory manner. Bhattarai also called on the Home Minister to investigate a visit visa scam and to enforce a two-point agreement.
Lawmaker of CPN (Maoist Centre) and former Home Minister Shakti Bahadur Basnet raised concerns about the inadequate budget allocated for the rehabilitation of earthquake-affected households. He demanded that all basic health services be made free for everyone.
Leader of the CPN (Unified Socialist) and former Minister Kisan Kumar Shrestha argued that the credibility of the budget has diminished due to the trend of influential leaders and ministers increasing budgets in their respective constituencies. He suggested that the country could achieve rapid development with adequate funding for major projects.
Abdul Khan, a lawmaker from the Janamat Party, criticized the practice of ministers increasing budgets only in their constituencies, stating that such a trend hinders balanced national development. Meanwhile, Ram Prakash Chaudhary highlighted the lack of priority given to the Madhes Province in the budget and urged the government to take action to repatriate the bodies of Nepalis who died abroad.
The ongoing discussions cover various ministries, including the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and General Administration, Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Health and Population, Ministry of Water Supply, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, Home Ministry, and Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.