DHANKUTA: National Planning Commission vice-chairman Dr Yubaraj Khatiwada said that the commission would not disburse budgets for projects under political pressure.

At a two-day regional meeting on “Upcoming Periodic Plan Formulation” that concluded in Dhankuta on Monday, Dr Khatiwada revealed that budgets were being allotted under political pressure towards the end of the fiscal year, earlier.

Stating that the budgets in such ways were allotted for projects run by activists of political parties, he said, “This is an example of corruption made at the policy level. A system was needed to control this kind of corruption.” Khatiwada opined that internal planning for next year would focus on employment, inclusiveness, economic growth, poverty alleviation and peace.

Democracy should be the key and transparency should be maintained from project selection to its implementation, he said. NPC has been organising regional meetings for the three-year interim plan to be implemented from 2010. CDO Kali Prasad Parajuli, local Development Officers from 16 districts of the eastern region, representatives of political parties and various other stakeholders had participated the regional gathering.