NA deliberation on Appropriation Bill

Kathmandu, July 3: The National Assembly members have been deliberating on the Appropriation Bill, 2083 under various ministry headings.

They argued agriculture and irrigation sectors had received insufficient budget.

During a group-wise discussion, Somnath Portel, said only 62.38 percent of land had irrigation access. “When does the remaining land get irrigation facility,” he wondered. Portel demanded transfer of budget for land irrigation to the province level, and proposed expenditure cuts. He was also for ensuring electricity to all population.

Meanwhile, NA Chairman Narayan Prasad Dahal informed that Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Biraj Bhakta Shrestha, had taken permission for his absence in the meeting today.

Member Durga Kumari Gurung viewed spending in energy sector should be taken as an investment for future. Concrete programmes were imperative to ensure round-the-year irrigation facility to the farmers.

Urmila Aryal stressed conducting study and research on tea production. She drew the attention of Nepal government towards sustained export of Nepali tea.

Prem Prasad Dangal spoke on problem created by monkeys in various districts, while Bishnu Kumari Sapkota wondered shy agriculture sector was not provided adequate budget. Sapkota underlined the need for expanding coffee plantation and allowing marijuana farming.

Tul Prasad Bishwokarma and Mina Singh Rakhal also complained of inadequate budget to agriculture.