May 14 : Finance Minister Dr Yubaraj Khatiwada said the upcoming budget for the fiscal year 2020/21 would prioritise the revival of the national economy being crippled by the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown.
Responding to parliamentarians’ queries in the course of the deliberations on the Principles and Priorities (except tax proposal) of the Appropriation Bill for the fiscal 2020/21 (2077/78 BS) on Wednesday (May 13), he came up with such a remark.
“Th government will adopt various measures like expediting the development projects, including the national pride ones, and making investment in the agriculture sector etc. to support the ailing economy,” Minister Dr Khatiwada said.
Main opposition Nepali Congress has been suggesting the government to bring a partial budget of limited size amidst the adverse impacts of the prevailing COVID-19 on different sectors of the economy. In this connection, he, however, said, “The government will present a full-fledged budget on the stipulated time i.e Jeshtha 15 (May 28) by being open to the possibility of bringing a supplementary budget later depending on the changing circumstances.
The minister also said the recommendations received from the federal parliament (House of Representatives and National Assembly) in course of deliberations on budget principles and priorities would be the meticulously internalized and reflected in the upcoming government policies and programmes and national budget.
Also in yesterday’s meeting, Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota read out a letter from the Office of the President regarding the presentation of the government policies and programmes for the upcoming fiscal year 2020/21. They are scheduled to be presented in the joint meeting of the federal parliament on May 15.
President Bidya Devi Bhandari would present the upcoming year’s policies and programmes. Next meeting of the House of Representatives shall take place at 6.00 pm on May 15.
