Govt urged to pay heed to agriculture, energy, IT in new budget

Kathmandu, April 25: At a time when the Finance Minister has viewed time was for taking bold decisions in view of the high expectation of youths on government, the economic experts suggested Minister Barsha Man Pun to not make forthcoming budget ambitious and huge.     

They urged him to pay heed to agriculture, tourism, energy and IT in the budget. Allocation of budget to only well prepared projects is imperative, the experts underlined.     

According to them, job creation is an equal urgency.     

They furnished such suggestions to the Finance Minister during a consultation organized in the wake of next year budget on Thursday.     

On the occasion Finance Minister Pun viewed private sector need not be disheartened at all. Government would make important decisions to boost private sectors' morale and take them into confidence.     

He however admitted that stringent policies had to be adopted due to economic pressure, while private sector was for relaxed policy, which again needs proper balance. "Especially youths have hoped much from government at a time when the economy is under pressure. Time has come for bold decision," he reminded.     

Those furnishing suggestions were Chief of Department of Economics at TU, Dr Resham Thapa, former chief Dr Ram Prasad Gyawali, economist and CPN (Unified Socialist) leader Dr Bijay Paudel, former finance secretary Krishna Ghimire, economist at World Bank headquarters, Govind Timilsina, former rector at TU, Prof Dr Shiva Bhushal.     

The Finance Minister assured that change in ministers would not change in policy. Best practices of previous governments would be continued, he added. (RSS)