Kathmandu: Lawmaker of the CPN (Maoist Centre), Shakti Bahadur Basnet, has presented a proposal seeking a symbolic reduction of one rupee in the expenditure allocations under the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport as part of the Appropriation Bill, 2025. During the House of Representatives meeting, Basnet criticized the budget allocation, arguing that despite an overall increase, the distribution was unjustified.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Basnet highlighted the absence of budget allocations for road infrastructure development in certain constituency areas, describing this oversight as irresponsible. He further criticized the uneven distribution of funds, pointing out that while some districts received significant infrastructure budgets, others received none.
Ram Kumar Rai, also from the CPN (Maoist Centre) and the main opposition party, proposed a similar reduction for the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies. Rai underscored the lack of budget allocations for sectors crucial to promoting exports, such as local alcohol markets, jute mills, and the bamboo industry. He also noted the absence of funding for manufacturing modern agricultural tools and initiatives aimed at self-reliance.
Devendra Paudel, another Maoist Center lawmaker, targeted the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives, and Poverty Alleviation for budget reduction. Paudel expressed dissatisfaction with the budget’s failure to address land distribution promises to Dalits, landless individuals, squatters, and those lacking proper documentation.
Additionally, Prem Suwal, a lawmaker from the Nepal Workers and Peasants Party (NWPP), proposed reductions across multiple ministries, including Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Industry, Commerce and Supplies, and Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation. Suwal emphasized the neglect of farmers’ and workers’ rights and the insufficient prioritization of increasing agricultural production. He also advocated for greater investment in hydropower production.