KATHMANDU, MAY 31

Members in the National Assembly today put forth their views on the government's annual estimate of income and expenditure for the fiscal year 2022-23.

Taking part in the deliberations, Khimlal Bhattarai of CPN-UML commented that a large-size budget had just focused on making promises to the people. He questioned the possibility of the implementation of budget in the absence of goals and a foundation. As he assessed, the budget is lacking in terms of presenting a concrete base for consolidating federalism and recognising the presence of province governments. 'The budget fails to accord priority to province governments.'

He expressed doubt whether a fall in production and a market price hike by seven per cent were pushing the country towards economic crisis.

He claimed that economic growth would not be possible in the absence of capacity enhancement for capital expenditure.

Ramesh Jung Rayamajhi of Nepali Congress was of the view that agriculture, health, education, tourism and employment were priorities of the budget, insisting on coordination and cooperation among all for its effective implementation.

Urmila Aryal of CPN-Maoist Centre demanded the establishment of a senior citizenship club at each ward.

She also drew the attention of stakeholders concerned towards controlling incidents of air crash in the country and ensuring air safety.

Jayanti Devi Rai of CPN (Unified Socialist) was of the opinion that the budget failed to incorporate measures for ending policy-level corruption and controlling price-hike.

Mohammed Khalid of Janata Samajbadi Party-Nepal welcomed the budget citing that it was capable of strengthening and institutionalising federalism. Meanwhile, lawmaker Khimlal Devkota has demanded resumption of the proposed Nijgadh International Airport project in Bara.

The project has been halted following the verdict of the Supreme Court not to continue it.

The project should be implemented as budget for the next fiscal year 2022-23 has been already allocated for it, he opined while putting forth his views on the deliberation of the principle of budget for the next FY in today's session of the National Assembly.

The government's policies and programmes have continued the project. So far, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal has already spent Rs three billion on the project. Similarly, for the project, 8,050 hectares land has been transferred in its name.

Nepali Congress lawmaker Kamala Devi Panta viewed budget for the next FY as one that was responsible to the people and encouraged agriculture and farmers.

But, CPN-UML lawmaker Gopal Bhattarai said the budget was brought haphazardly and was difficult to implement.

CPN-Maoist Centre lawmaker Narayan Kaji Shrestha has sought help and support of all in the implementation of the budget.

Similarly, Maoist Centre lawmaker Urmila Aryal and CPN (Unified Socialist)'s Madan Kumari Shah drew the attention of the concerned authorities to the need to control air accidents and make aviation well-managed and safe.

They also demanded investigations into air accidents, including the recent Tara Air aircraft crash at Sanosure of Thasang in Mustang district. All 22 people on board including three crew members were killed in the crash.

A version of this article appears in the print on June 01, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.