Budget Practical: PM Oli

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said the Executive Budget Proposal presented at the parliament today has come in a way to support the campaign of 'Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali'.

Talking to journalists after a joint meeting of the parliament today, he said, "The budget has been introduced keeping with practical measures. It would lay the foundation for prosperous Nepal."

In response to a query on measures to attain tax targets, he said the tax net would be widened to meet revenue targets.

While responding to another query on old-age allowance, PM Oli further clarified that the incumbent government did not make new populist decision.

President of the main opposition Nepali Congress, Sher Bahadur Deuba has claimed that budget tabled by the government is difficult to implement.

In his initial comment on the budget unveiled by the government Tuesday, Deuba said imposing burden of tax does not ensure growth in productivity.

Likewise, NC lawmaker Minendra Rijal said the budget was like a daydream and added that the size of budget was large while amalgamating portions of all level of governments. He also said that clear roadmap on revenue collection was not laid out.

Rijal also said that foreign assistance and loan are also not likely to flow in as announced in the budget.

Similarly, NC lawmaker Gagan Thapa said that the budget has not created wave against the expectations of the people and nor has it taken any risk.

Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Co-Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal said that the government budget favours nation and people.

Talking to journalists following today's joint meeting of the federal parliament, Chairperson Dahal further said comprehensive comments would be rendered during the discussion on the budget.