Lawmakers in the National Assembly suggested the government cut redundant expenditures and review the unnecessary structures in the upcoming budget.
Taking part in the deliberation on the principles and priorities of the Appropriation Bill (Except Tax Proposal) for the Fiscal Year 2023/24 in a session of the Upper House today, they viewed that the present economic crises cannot be resolved without cutting down on the redundant expenditures at the governmental level and reviewing the unnecessary structures.
Jag Prasad Sharma said a ‘big surgery’ was required on the nation’s economy to improve the present economic situation full of challenges. He stressed the need for sustainable utilisation of human, land, forest and herbal resources for improving the economy. He also called for a review of the laws, regulations and structures standing as obstacles to economic growth.
Devendra Dahal said as per the economic projection of the current fiscal year the revenue collection is likely to reduce by Rs 300 billion than the target and wanted to know from the government as to which programmes are under the axe in the next fiscal year’s budget. He also said it looks like the capital expenditure will be only 50%. Dahal called the attention of the government towards the urgent need of improving the economy by taking drastic measures for checking the rampant corruption. He welcomed the priority given to agriculture, industries and entrepreneurs in the principles and priorities of the Appropriation Bill.
He queried the Finance Minister on the government’s plan of reducing unnecessary expenses, curbing unnecessary foreign junkets by government officials and measures to put a tab on corruption as well as mismanagement.
Lawmaker Anita Devkota stressed the need for cutting unnecessary spending and projects saying Nepal’s economy is in crisis along with the world due to Covid 19 pandemic, Russia-Ukraine war. She opined that a time has come to review the unnecessary structures that the state cannot afford.
She suggested prioritising agriculture, energy, industry and tourism to get the economy back on track and shared there will be no improvement in the current economic condition until subjects of luxury are minimized.
Likewise, Jayanti Devi Rai pointed out the need of increasing production and employment and connecting education with employment to make the budget fully implementable. She said a provision should be made through the coming budget for the market by branding home-grown products and technology.
Likewise, Tul Prasad Bishwokarma stated that the upcoming budget should give priority to agriculture and opined that country’s economic condition cannot be improved until modernisation and mechanisation.
He also demanded to bring a special arrangement for the protection of skill and art of Dalit community.
Similarly, Khimlal Devkota demanded to end the trend of allocating more budget to constituencies of top and influential leaders every year.
He raised the question of how good governance is established in the country as the federal civil service act has not been brought even though it has already been nine years since the promulgation of the constitution.
