KATHMANDU, August 7

Theoretical discussion on the appropriation bill started on Friday in the Parliament after the Unified CPN-Maoist, which had been obstructing the parliamentary proceedings over the provisions of budget, decided to end its obstruction.

UCPN-M lawmaker Shakti Basnet took special time to speak in the Parliament and said his party’s lawmakers decided to end house obstruction after finance minister assured them that the government would try to address their grievances over the provisions of new budget. Basnet said if the government did not keep its word, his UCPN-M lawmakers would again obstruct proceedings of the House.

The UCPN-M lawmakers want the government to increase allocation of budget for victims of earthquake, reconstruction efforts, remaining works of peace process, martyrs’ academies and projects of national pride.

UCPN-M leaders had discussed the matter with Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat yesterday.

Taking part in the discussion, lawmaker Sushil Kumar Shrestha said the finance minister wrongly projected six per cent economic growth in the budget.

Lawmakers Kamal Prasad Pangeni said the government should have allocated more budget for reconstruction. Next meeting of the Parliament is scheduled for 3:00pm on Sunday.