HoR continues deliberations on policies and programmes  

KATHMANDU: The House of Representatives of the Federal Parliament continued discussions on the proposed annual policies and programmes in today's session.  

Parliamentarians expressed their views on a party basis regarding the policies and programmes recently presented by President Ramchandra Paudel for the upcoming fiscal year 2025/26.  

Nepali Congress lawmaker Dilendra Prasad Badu stated that the Mahakali Corridor had been excluded from the national pride projects and should be incorporated, as it also connects India and China. He urged the government to include it in the national pride scheme.  

Badu emphasised that the policies and programmes of the current fiscal year should assess progress made in the previous year. He suggested drafting policies to involve the private sector in transmission line construction and reduce transmission line distances.  

Narayan Prakash Saud, also from the Nepali Congress, called for budget allocation only after ensuring adequate financial sources. He stressed the need for policies aimed at achieving self-reliance and proposed separate policies concerning dual citizenship for non-resident Nepalis, as well as regulations on their residence and property ownership.  

Similarly, CPN (UML) lawmaker Ishwor Bahadur Rijal urged the government to prioritise science and technology.  

CPN (Maoist Centre) lawmaker Mahindra Raya Yadav emphasised adopting a public-private partnership model for Nepal’s economic development. He also called for the effective management of national pride projects currently stalled. Highlighting the drinking water crisis in Nepal, he urged the government to ensure clean drinking water for all citizens.  

Furthermore, he demanded that at least 10% of the budget be allocated to agriculture, which is a cornerstone of Nepal’s economy.  

As deliberations continued, Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker Birajbhakta Shrestha remarked that the proposed policies and programmes lacked new approaches and necessary reforms. He criticised them for failing to adequately address key issues, including the economy, environment, culture, and sports.  

The policies and programmes merely reflect a continuation of the status quo and lack foundational principles, Shrestha said. He added that they do not align with the aspirations of today's youth or the demands of an increasingly technology-driven global economy.  

Rastriya Prajatantra Party whip Beena Lama stressed the importance of effective implementation of the proposed policies and programmes. She emphasised transparency and inclusiveness in governance, urging the government to prioritise sustainable development, economic reform, social security, anti-corruption measures, and law and order.  

She further suggested enhancing programmes such as post-disaster relief efforts, integrated agricultural planning, seed testing, and minimum purchase price determination to make them more effective.  

CPN (Unified Socialist) lawmaker Krishna Kumar Shrestha expressed concern that the policies and programmes had overlooked the Madhesi community. He suggested that the upcoming budget prioritise Madhesh-centric national pride projects, such as the proposed Nijgadh International Airport in Bara district.  

Janata Samajwadi Party lawmaker Birendra Prasad Mahato called for the formation of a dedicated budget formulation committee to refine budget allocation for infrastructure development. He stated that such a committee should provide recommendations to the government, control recurrent expenditure, increase development investment, expand revenue sources, and establish joint fiscal policies.  

By RSS