KATHMANDU, July 11

Members of Parliament on Saturday suggested that the government focus on nation rebuilding in the post-earthquake scenario, economic prosperity and improving the quality of people’s life while bringing the fiscal 2015/16 budget.

The government is presenting the budget on July 14.

Taking part in discussions on the government’s policy and programmes, lawmakers also suggested that the government bring specific plan to increasing employment and institutionalise the federal republic system.

CPN-UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal said the government should have held discussions with political parties before bringing the policy and programmes. “We need to move ahead with unity in rebuilding the nation and for economic development. However, this has not happened,” said Nepal. He expressed discontent at lack of attention to the need to institutionalise the republican system and to give priority to national pride products.

Unified CPN-Maoist member Krishna Bahadur Mahara termed the budget reactionary and lacking in novelty. “The policy and programmes has not paid attention to rebuilding, economic prosperity and addressing people’s problems,” he said.

NC member Padma Narayan Chaudhari supported the policy and programmes saying the document focused on reconstruction and agricultural and industrial development.

CPN-ML leader CP Mainali said the government had failed to incorporate post-quake reconstruction in the document.

PR MPs submit memorandum

KATHMANDU: A team of lawmakers elected under the Proportional Representation system, on Saturday handed over a memorandum to Speaker Subas Chandra Nembang demanding Rs 10 million to each lawmaker under the PR system, to support development projects in their constituencies.

The amount was provided to first-past-the-post members since the last fiscal budget, under Constituency Infrastructure Fund to support development programmes in constituencies.

“We, the PR members, are discriminated,” said UCPN-M member Aman Lal Modi, handing over the memorandum signed by 263 PR members of various parties. Modi also expressed concern about discriminatory behaviour by government bodies towards PR members.