Kathmandu, July 14:

This year’s budget presented by Minister for Finance, Dr Ram Saran Mahat, on Thursday, drew mixed reactions from the parliamentarians during the discussion session of the Parliament today.

A Maoist lawmaker, Lokendra Bista, said the budget, which is “quiet” on addressing the issues of the people below poverty line, was against the “political commitment” of the eight parties. “The budget cannot be termed pro-poor,” Bista told the parliament today. He criticised Dr Mahat for allocating funds for the palace. “This has deceived the people,” he argued.

Nepali Congress lawmaker Mahesh Acharya criticised the budget and said there is ‘little hope’ that the commitments expressed in this year’s budget would be accomplished.

“Last year, the then finance minister had expressed commitment to establish four kidney centres and until now the government has asked only for tenders for dialysis machines,” he said.

MP Bharat Mohan Adhikari of the CPN-UML said the government needs to focus on the proper implementation of the commitment expressed in the budget and that it should be focused on the development of agriculture. MP Leela Mani Pokhrel of Janamorcha Nepal criticised the budget as “inappropriate” for developing Nepal. Speaking at the special hour, parliamentarians asked the government to provide compensation and relief to the flood and landslide victims in Baglung and Bajura districts.