Gagan Thapa urges budget implementation

Lawmaker Gagan Kumar Thapa has called attention of the government to pay attention to effective implementation of the budget.

Taking part in the general deliberations on the Annual Estimate of Revenue and Expenditure for Fiscal Year 2023/24 in the meeting of the House of Representatives today, he called for making the programmes incorporated in the budget result-oriented and for their effective implementation.

Also the general secretary of the Nepali Congress party, lawmaker Thapa expressed the belief that the goals of the budget can be achieved if it is implemented with the realization that the budget is big in size.

"The budget size is big. It is not realistic. The results should be achieved through its effective implementation keeping this fact in mind," he suggested and pointed out the need of giving attention to making the objectives of the budget result-oriented so as to turn the despondency seen among the people into hope by removing the challenges in the economy.

Recalling that the Finance Minister while concluding his budget statement in the joint session of both houses of parliament on May 29 had projected a 6 per cent economic growth and the CPI to be limited at 6.5 per cent, Thapa stressed on investment expansion, employment growth, economic reform and meeting the revenue goals by maintaining fiscal discipline through the effective implementation of the budget.

He viewed that the budget failed to address the problems facing the small traders. "Even the industries and factories that are in operation since long are in problem. They are discouraged. How much marks they give this budget in their evaluation depends on how effectively the budget is implemented," lawmaker Thapa asserted.

He stressed on implementing the budget, addressing the priority sectors keeping in mind the reality of increase in general expenditure and diminishing capital expenditure.

Lawmaker Dinesh Kumar Yadav has argued that the government has brought the budget for the next fiscal year which is capable of addressing the present economic crisis facing the country.

"The country is currently in economic downturn. I support this budget which treats each sector equally with the aim of tiding over this economic crisis," he said. Yadav however criticized the budget, saying it has failed to 'touch' the Madhes, the region which has a vital role in contributing to boosting the national economy.

Lawmaker Rupa BK expressed the belief the budget would address the slowdown the country's economy is experiencing at present.

Kantika Sejuwal urged the government to allocate adequate budget for the Karnali Province for its development.

The House of Representatives will next meet at 1 pm on June 12.

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