HoR begins discussion on annual estimate of revenue and expenditure for FY 2026/27

KATHMANDU: The House of Representatives began discussion today on the annual estimate of revenue and expenditure for the fiscal year 2026/27. MPs raised a range of concerns and criticisms during the deliberations, and the discussion is ongoing.

Rastriya Swatantra Party MP Dr Krishna Hari Budhathoki said the budget should pay greater attention to entrepreneurs’ concerns.

Nepali Congress MP Shahjan Khatun said customs revenue has risen by 40% compared with previous levels and urged the Finance Minister to clarify the basis on which customs revenue is estimated.

Ganesh Singh Thagunna of the Communist Party of Nepal (UML) warned that districts such as Bajhang, Bajura, Doti and Achham, which require development, did not receive adequate funding. He added that although there has been talk of allocating a budget to border areas, they have not been prioritised.

Parasuram Tamang of the Nepali Communist Party (NCP) said the budget for the next fiscal year has widened the gap between rich and poor and suggested that, alongside measures to control wild animals in the hills, economic activities in those areas should be increased.

Harkaraj Rai of the Shram Sanskriti Party said the budget failed to focus on solving people’s problems and drew attention to a shortage of drinking water in Dharan.

Dr Amaresh Kumar Singh of the Rastriya Swatantra Party opposed the imposition of taxes on education, arguing that fundamental rights should not be taxed. He also complained that, despite increases in employees’ salaries, there were no effective relief programmes for the general public.

Nepali Congress MP Sita Thapaliya said the expected introduction of model schools in every district was absent from the budget. She also objected to taxation on education and said there were no effective programmes for rural areas and village farmers.

Tukabhadra Hamal of the CPN (UML) said next year’s budget fails to address any particularly important issues.

The discussion on the annual estimate of revenue and expenditure continues in the House.

By RSS