Kathmandu: The House of Representatives (HoR) Members have expressed their displeasure with the annual budget proposed for the upcoming fiscal year 2082/83 BS. The criticism was voiced during a session focused on budget allocation for various ministries, including the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens, Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of Urban Development.
According to National News Agency Nepal, several HoR Members argued that the government failed to achieve balanced budget allocations, disappointing constituents who have high expectations for development initiatives in their regions. CPN (UML) lawmaker Basudev Ghimire highlighted the public’s expectation for budgetary support aimed at development construction within their constituencies. Despite legislators primarily focusing on lawmaking, there is a significant demand for budget allocations at the constituency level.
Nepali Congress (NC) lawmaker Maina Karki voiced concerns over the exclusion of Jajarkot district from the budget’s priority list, urging the government to ensure allocations for Jajarkot and the wider Karnali Province. Similarly, NC lawmaker Dev Prasad Timalsena criticized the current trends of budget allocation, which he believes favors certain constituencies over others.
UML lawmaker Prabhu Hajara called for the construction of Narayani Stadium, the upgrade of Narayani Hospital, and the resumption of services at small customs points in the Madhes Province, emphasizing the need for these developments in his region.
CPN (Maoist Centre) lawmaker Purna Bahadur Ghartimagar criticized the traditional approach to budget allocation, stating that it does not complement the proper practice of federalism. Meanwhile, NC lawmaker Dr. Sunil Kumar Sharma insisted on the immediate amendment of the budget to ensure fair and equitable distribution. NC lawmaker Purna Bahadur Tamang also noted the disproportionate budget allocations benefitting the constituencies of some ministers.