HoR meeting: Discussions ongoing on the budgetary allocations of various ministries

Kathmandu, June 22: 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.