HoR members stress effective implementation of budget for upcoming FY

KATHMANDU: Parliamentarians pressed for the effective implementation of the budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2024/25 at the meeting of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, stating that its implementation is challenging.

It's worth noting that the incumbent government announced a budget of Rs 1.86 trillion for the upcoming fiscal year on May 28.

Parliamentarian Ramhari Khatiwada, participating in the discussion on the annual estimate (budget) of revenue and expenditure, emphasised the need for the government to promptly and effectively implement the budget.

He stated that there have been instances in previous years where budgets were allocated but not effectively implemented. He urged the government, through the Speaker of the House, to prevent such situations from recurring.

According to him, sufficient budget should be allocated for mega projects, and the government should ensure their timely completion.

Khatiwada expressed the view that the trend of spending the budget towards the end of the fiscal year should be discontinued and that development infrastructures should be prioritised.

Similarly, Ishwor Bahadur Lama praised the inclusion of some new programmes in the budget as 'positive', highlighting the need for their effective implementation.

Furthermore, he called for the observance of May 29 as Sagarmatha Day and the continuation of the 'Sagarmatha Dialogue'. The Sagarmatha Dialogue is a Nepalese government initiative to host a permanent biennial global dialogue forum in Nepal, which started in 2020.

Likewise, Tshiring Damdul Lama Bhote described the budget as balanced, timely, and dynamic, adding that it encompasses social justice, good governance, and prosperity.

He stated that the budget had prioritised five sectors as transformative areas and emphasised the need to make the budget implementation-oriented.

Sishir Khanal described the budget as balanced. He noted that although the budget did not place any importance on minimising the risks of climate change, it did include positive aspects such as the development of information technology and the expansion of air connectivity.

Aain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri argued that the implementation of the budget will be challenging, claiming that the budget is populist. He expressed disappointment that the budget failed to adequately address the issues of Karnali.

Chandra Bahadur Bishwakarma highlighted the need for thought and commitment in budget implementation. Durga Rai stated that the budget had incorporated transformative sectors and all regions, communities, and geography.

However, Prem Suwal argued that the budget failed to address the country's reality, expressing his discontent that the government had handed over the responsibility of carrying out ordinary tasks to the private sector.

Also expressing views, parliamentarian Deepak Giri lamented the lack of practical implementation of the annual budget.

Thakur Gaire described the budget as fundamentally sound. He questioned whether the ruling parties could maintain consistency in their common policies and programmes.

Purna Bahadur Gharti expressed full support for the budget presented by the incumbent government. According to him, the budget was positive as it pledged to implement the constitution, increase employment, complete the remaining works of the peace process, and build a socialism-oriented economy.

Santosh Pariyar called for Kathmandu City to be declared a 'Cultural City'. He emphasised the need to reduce the existing gap between current expenditure and capital expenditure.

Krishna Kumar Shrestha highlighted that the budget had prioritised issues such as the underground irrigation programme in Tarai-Madhes, shallow tube well irrigation, and agricultural development such as soil fertility enhancement.

He argued that the government had not paid attention to addressing the acute shortage of drinking water in Tarai-Madhes.

Amresh Kumar Singh commented that the budget was allocated based on political influence and did not address the economic recession.

Various parliamentarians, including Bina Jaiswal, Sushila Shrestha, Sonu Murmu, and Sarbendranath Shuikla, critically commented on the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

By RSS