Proposals to cut expenses of three ministries presented at HoR meet

KATHMANDU: Eight proposals, aimed at reducing expenses related to three ministries, were presented during a meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) meeting on Thursday, as part of the Appropriation Bill 2024.

These proposals were introduced during discussions on the budget allocated for these ministries in the Appropriation Bill.

Budget allocation deliberations are currently underway for the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies (MoICS), the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation (MoLMCPA), and the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP). The eight proposals for expense reduction pertain to these three ministries.

During the deliberations, lawmaker Dilendra Prasad Badu proposed to reduce the expenditure amount under the MoICS heading in the Appropriation Bill, 2081 BS, to Re 1.

Badu argued that financial discipline has been compromised by maintaining various allowances for the officials and employees of the MoICS in the Appropriation Bill, thereby increasing the current expenditure.

Amaresh Kumar Singh also proposed a reduction in the expenditure amount under the MoICS and MoLMCPA headings, suggesting it be maintained at Re 1. He claimed that the budget for the upcoming fiscal year fails to promote domestic goods production and their marketisation. Singh argued that economic prosperity can only be achieved if various goods and services are produced within the country. He also stated that the citizens' right to health has not been effectively implemented and is not prioritised in the budget.

Similarly, lawmaker Prem Suwal proposed a reduction in the amount stated in the expenditure headings related to the MoICS, MoLMCPA, and MoHP.

Suwal suggested strengthening the economy through domestic capital formation and investment, rather than relying on foreign capital. He also urged the government to relocate the industrial zones within the Kathmandu Valley to locations outside the Valley, emphasising the need to prioritise the construction of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and the opening of fair price shops in all local units.

Suwal also advocated for providing land to the landless and criticised the budget for failing to present clear plans to address issues in the health sector.

Likewise, lawmaker Bina Lama proposed to reduce the expenditure under the MoICS heading to Re 1.

Lawmaker Rupa BK proposed to reduce the expenditure amount under the MoLMCPA heading of the Appropriation Bill to Re 1.

Gyan Bahadur Shahi proposed to reduce the expenditure amount under the MoLMCPA heading to Re 1. Shanti BK proposed to reduce the expenditure amount under the MoHP heading to Re 1. Roshan Karki proposed to reduce the expenditure amount under the MoHP heading to Re 1.

Discussion on the appropriation bill, 2081 concluded on Thursday on the headings of  MoICS, MoLMCPA and MoHP. The ministry-wise discussion on the Appropriation Bill is scheduled to be held today on various topics under the Ministry of Forest and Environment (MoFE), Ministry of Water Supply (MoWS), Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MoCIT) and Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA).