Kathmandu, June 22: Lawmakers have emphasized the need to change the electoral system and adopt a new form.
During today’s session of the House of Representatives (HoR), while sharing views on the various headings of the Appropriation Bill, 2025/26 currently under discussion, MP Mahendra Shahi stated that discussions have been held regarding issues such as governance problems and distortions arising from the electoral system, indicating that it needs to be changed.
He also mentioned that there should be no impression that the Finance Minister’s job is merely to distribute the accumulated revenue without focusing on how to achieve annual capital growth.
Member of Parliament Prakash Jwala said that the Ministry of Urban Development has become a facade for middlemen’s profits. He believes that allocating a budget of Rs 570 million under the name of Ganeshman Singh is an attempt to insult. Jwala also mentioned that a budget of Rs 7 million has been given under the name of Pushpalal, asserting that such allocations misuse taxpayer money.
He noted that although a structure was created for organizing a national sports competition in Karnali Province, it has not been able to take place. Jwala emphasized that development projects cannot progress without creating technology-friendly laws.
MPs Ranju Kumari Jha and Abdul Khan emphasized that the Vice President should be given the responsibility of the Chair of the National Assembly, the number of advisors to be appointed in various bodies should be reduced, and young people should be connected to entrepreneurship through youth policies.
They noted that companies like Pathao, Indrive, and Yang-go have provided employment to the youth, and this needs to be legally regulated, and a Youth Development Construction Army should be formed.
HoR continues deliberations on Appropriation Bill-2082 BS
The House of Representatives (HoR) today continued deliberations on various headings of the Appropriation Bill for the fiscal year 2082 BS.
During the discussions, legislators stressed the need to make the budget more civic-oriented and development-friendly. Several members also proposed reductions in budget allocations to the Office of the President, the Prime Minister’s Office, various ministries, and commissions, arguing that the distribution of funds was imbalanced.
Hitaraj Pandey, Chief Whip of the CPN (UML), called for a greater allocation of funds to the Ministry of Women, Children, and Senior Citizens. He criticized the government for ‘overlooking’ the significance of the ministry in the current budget. Pandey also used the platform to demand the immediate formation of a committee to investigate the visit visa scam, adding that the budget had also neglected the sports sector.
Ganga Karki, also from the CPN (UML), urged the government to reduce unnecessary expenditures and focus more on boosting production. He noted that economic reforms, agricultural promotion, and the development of sports and tourism sectors had received inadequate attention.
Chitra Bahadur KC of Rastriya Janamorcha stressed the importance of the State being informed about the condition of the youth. “The State should be aware of their current status, what they are learning, and how their education is progressing,” he said.
Similarly, Lekhnath Dahal called for citizen participation in the formulation of development plans.
Prabhu Shah questioned the absence of the Prime Minister during deliberations on the budget for the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. He argued that fragmented development efforts would not align with the broader urban development goals. Shah also highlighted the low representation of women in the government.
Amanlal Modi criticized the budget allocation as being disproportionately distributed across districts. He also accused the Ministry of Urban Development of neglecting the recurring problem of inundation in Biratnagar, Morang.
HoR meeting: Discussions ongoing on the budgetary allocations of various ministries
Discussions are ongoing on various headings of different ministries as well as of the President’s Office, the Vice President’s Office, and constitutional commissions under the Appropriation Bill of 2025/26 in today’s meeting of the House of Representatives.
In the meeting, the lawmakers have expressed their views on the budget for and against on a party basis, as well as shared their opinions on current issues.
Nepali Congress leader and former minister Arjun Narsingh KC said that the budget is not balanced. He accused that the budget has been distributed unequally by allocating more to the districts of ministers and top leaders.
He commented that it is regrettable to select projects against a ceiling of 30 million, saying that plans have been scattered contrary to the principles of the budget and that fragmented projects have been included.
KC demanded to address the growing dissatisfaction among the people regarding good governance.
CPN (UML) Surya Bahadur Thapa said that the identification of deposit of 112 billion cubic metres of methane gas in the Jaljale area of Dailekh district in Karnali province and its storage for meeting Nepal’s consumption over the next 50 years is a matter of happiness for the entire country.
He added that the recent report on identification in Dailekh of the huge methane gas reserves has raised hope and confidence among the people that it will contribute towards boosting the country’s economy.
Commenting on the budgetary allocations, he complained that the budget was not balanced and the suggestions of the representatives were not included.
Budget is realistic and implementable: Former Finance Minister Karki
Nepali Congress leader and former Finance Minister Gyanendra Bahadur Karki has said that the budget presented by the government is realistic and implementable.
He drew the attention of the Finance Minister towards effective implementation of the ‘realistic’ budget.
Leader Karki commented that even though the political system of the country has changed repeatedly, there has been no change in the living condition of the people. He highlighted the need for commitment from all political parties for long-term thinking and planning in development and construction sector.
“For the development of the country, there needs to be political stability, policy stability, leadership willpower, and long-term thinking in development planning along with party representation and proper management of state resources,” he emphasized.
Former Finance Minister Karki emphasized the need to promote and harness around 80 percent of private sector investment, stating that investments in sectors such as energy, agriculture, and tourism should be secured.
Tara Lama Tamang from the Communist Party of Nepal (UML) mentioned that the budget has provided guidelines for the nation.
“It seems the budget has progressed according to the budget target; there are many areas to hope for,” he said and urged the Finance Minister to focus on completing the programmes proposed in the budget.
The HoR is continuing discussions on the appropriation headings under the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Urban Development, the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, the Secretariat of the National Planning Commission, the Office of the President, and the Office of the Vice President under the Appropriation Bill, 2025.
