'Budget will prioritise historically excluded areas including Sudurpashchim, Karnali'

KATHMANDU: Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle said the budget for upcoming fiscal year will place special emphasis on historically excluded areas, including Sudurpashchim and Karnali provinces.

Speaking during parliamentary queries on the principles and priorities of the Appropriation Bill (excluding the tax proposal) for fiscal year 2026/27, Minister Wagle said the government aims to expand the middle class by uplifting weaker segments of society. He stressed that smooth implementation of development projects requires a clear roadmap and noted that the government has introduced a "mission mode" approach for the first time.

The finance minister added that the principles and priorities set out in the Appropriation Bill will reflect the government’s perspective and underline the need for honest efforts in implementation.

Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal said the Federal Parliament Secretariat will compile a report incorporating MPs’ suggestions and opinions on the bill’s priorities and principles and submit it to the Prime Minister, the Council of Ministers and the Ministry of Finance.

Several lawmakers raised concerns and proposals during the discussion. MP Arjun Kumar Karki pointed out that the words “poor” and “poverty” do not appear in the bill’s stated priorities and principles. Lawmaker Indira Rana Magar urged the government to address the needs of citizens living below the poverty line who lack access to basic healthcare.

Yogesh Gauchan Thakali presented data on daily migration and argued that budget allocations should aim to reduce the outflow of economically active young people. Kshitiz Thebe called for prioritising the Tamor Reservoir project, fixing a support price for cardamom, developing production and processing systems for medicinal herbs, and ensuring farmers receive fair value for their produce at home.

Lawmaker Sagar Bhusal said the Appropriation Bill should be seen not only as an expenditure document but as a roadmap for the country’s potential, self-reliance and prosperity. He praised the bill’s focus on production, employment, good governance and public trust despite limited resources and difficult economic conditions.

Other MPs who spoke on the bill’s principles and priorities included Bikram Thapa, Samiksha Banskota, Jagadish Kharel, Prashant Upreti, Narendra Kumar Gupta, Anushka Shrestha, Rukmini Devi Koirala, Achyuttam Lamichhane, Bharat Bahadur Khadka, Ram Lama, Rajan Gautam, Shraddha Kunwar Shretri and Rukesh Ranjit.

The House of Representatives is scheduled to meet next at 11:00 am on May 20.

(With inputs from RSS)