-Ramesh Lamsal
Kathmandu: Former finance ministers have suggested the government to bring budget of coming fiscal year with a priority to agro modernization, employment promotion, development of big infrastructure and export-oriented industries.
They drew government’s attention to prepare budget being based on the ground reality to link with the employment generation and entrepreneurship as coronavirus has made negative impact on country’s economy and youths, who are in overseas employment are ready to return home.
In a meeting organized by Finance Committee of the Federal Parliament on Monday, the former Finance Ministers stressed the need of preparing the budget keeping overall situation of the country in mind and its practical implementation.
They also laid emphasis that the government should make some policy-level revision as the tourism sector is facing problem and unemployment might be rise in the country.
On the occasion, former Finance Minister Surendra Pandey said that it was necessary to collect data about the Nepalis in foreign countries, their works and number of Nepalis returning home.
Pandey also stressed the need of carrying out study about the condition of Nepalis in India and Malaysia. He also suggested the government not to increase the shape of budget and come up with a plan to utilize skill of migrant returnees by setting up employment fund of Rs 50 billion.
Saying the tourism sector of Nepal has been pushed two years back, he laid emphasis on the need of domestic promotion during this difficult time, urging to reduce current expenditure, not to appoint new employees and security personnel.
Former Finance Minister Gyanendra Bahadur Karki suggested the government to focus on agriculture, youth, employment and exports in new budget. He also stressed on completing the national pride projects by allocating enough budget in time.
Similarly, former Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai, also former Finance Minister opined to prepare the budget after identifying the areas of loss and damage caused by COVID-19 outbreak. He also stressed on adopting revolutionary efforts to reform the national economy.
He said, “Government should be alert to create employment at least to 1.5 million migrant workers at first phase.” He said there are six million migrant workers abroad and one fourth may return due to worsened economy across the globe caused by the COVID-19.
Dr Bhattarai further stressed on focusing infrastructure creating new employment opportunities to the unemployed. —
