HoR holds discussion on uneven budget allocations under Appropriation Bill 2025/26

KATHMANDU: Discussions were held on various headings of different ministries, as well as the Office of the President, the Office of the Vice President and constitutional commissions, under the Appropriation Bill 2025/26 during today's meeting of the House of Representatives.

During the meeting, lawmakers expressed their views on the budget on a party basis and shared their opinions on current issues.

Nepali Congress leader and former minister Arjun Narsingh KC said that the budget is not balanced. He accused the government of distributing the budget 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 Rs 30 million, saying that plans have been scattered contrary to the principles of the budget and that fragmented projects have been included. KC demanded that the growing dissatisfaction among the people regarding good governance be addressed.

CPN (UML) lawmaker Surya Bahadur Thapa said that the identification of a deposit of 112 billion cubic metres of methane gas in 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 the identification in Dailekh of 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 is not balanced and that 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 to the need for effective implementation of the "realistic" budget. 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 the 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 emphasised.

Former Finance Minister Karki emphasised the need to promote and harness around 80% of private sector investment, stating that investments in sectors such as energy, agriculture and tourism should be secured.

Tara Lama Tamang from the CPN (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.

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