Lawmakers stress balanced development activities, economic distribution

The meeting of the House of Representatives today discussed principles and priorities of budget and programs to be included in the appropriation bill for the next fiscal year, 2022\23.

Attending the session, lawmakers stressed the need for balanced development activities and economic distribution. Suggesting that a common understanding should be reached to bring the budget, they stressed that it should prioritize agriculture, energy, and tourism and lead the country toward economic independence.

The principles and priorities of the budget presented in Tuesday’s HoR session by Finance Minister Janardan Sharma have focused on maintaining fiscal discipline, the proposal of budget allocation in the projects that are feasible in terms of finance and technology, and cutting government expenditure on the non-productive area.

Similarly, they emphasized building an independent and socialism-oriented economy while focusing on social justice and rural development, generating job opportunities for immigrant youths within the country and increasing agricultural production.

On the occasion, ruling NC’s whip Pushpa Bhusal Gautam expressed hope that the budget would help make strides in rural development and the sectors of energy and tourism while increasing agricultural production. Poor people, Dalit, and backward communities within the Kathmandu Valley should also be addressed in it, she said.

Similarly, Haribol Gajurel from the CPN (Maoist Center), a coalition partner in the incumbent government, criticized the principles and priorities of the budget as not mentioning the subject of land reforms while suggesting that there should be a wide discussion among political parties, both ruling and opposition, before making government’s policies and programs.

Uma Shankar Aragariya from the Loktantrik Samajwadi Party stressed the need for prioritizing agriculture and resolving problems facing farmers like that of a lack of fertilizers and seeds. Main opposition CPN (UML)’s Khagaraj Adhikari emphasized the transformation of tourism and culture into national capital while criticizing the incumbent government for increasing the trade deficit.

Also, Samina Hussein from the CPN (Unified Socialist), an alliance partner in the government, underscored the need for agriculture development. The lower house will next meet tomorrow at 1:00 pm.