Debate continues in HoR on government's policies and programmes

Kathmandu, May 8: Lawmakers have suggested that the government's annual policies and programmes for the upcoming fiscal year 2082/83 BS, which is under discussion in the federal parliament, should be made more mature and richer by making necessary modifications.     

Airing their views on the policies and programmes in today's meeting of the House of Representatives, they suggested incorporating the justified and positive topics related to the policies and programmes raised in the House should be incorporated as the government's policies and programmes document is amendable.     

Nepali Congress lawmaker Arjun Narsingh KC opined that it would be futile to hold discussions in parliament if the policies and programmes were not amended.     

He stressed the need for a two-thirds strong government to bring policies and programmes as a more advanced, systematic and implementable document incorporating the views of all parties. KC said the budget for the next fiscal year should be brought by incorporating practical plans rather than ambitious ones to make the policies and programmes implementable.     

He said it was positive to bring 'Gen-G' generation-oriented programmes in the policies and programmes of the upcoming fiscal year.     

Lawmaker KC suggested that policies and programmes for the upcoming fiscal year should be focused on ensuring the income of the marginalized communities and the people living below the absolute poverty line by ensuring social justice.     

He said that the country's public debt is increasing, corruption has not been eradicated, good governance has not been maintained and employment has not been created in the country, which is causing a sense of despondency among the people. Lawmaker KC also stressed the need for Nepal to take initiative to mobilize international cooperation to mitigate the impacts of climate change.     

Thakur Prasad Gaire stressed the need to incorporate the issues and suggestions raised in the parliament.     

Stating that the government's annual policies and programmes are based on the directive principles and policies of the state mentioned in the constitution, he pointed out the need for a strong coordination among the government's annual policies and programmes, principles and priorities, annual budget and medium-term expenditure structure.     

The UML lawmaker said questions have been raised about the government and the system as the government and the system have not been able to fulfill the aspirations related to development of the citizens. He reiterated that the people have sought strong support and confidence from the state.     

He said that positive criticism and suggestions carried more meaning than just saying that everything in the policies and programmes is bad. Gaire stressed the need of advancing important laws including civil service bill, education bill and police bill along with the policies and programmes under discussion in the parliament.     

Lawmaker Gaire said the time has come to think about the impact of the recently developed tension between India and Pakistan on Nepal and the role that Nepal can play in creating a situation of peace between the two countries.     

CPN (Maoist Centre) lawmaker Mahendra Bahadur Shahi said the government's policies and programmes have failed to promote federalism and to pay attention to the development of a self-reliant economy.     

He criticized the government's new policies and programmes, stating that it lacked topics encouraging the youth and the State's view on the development of remote Karnali was not clear. Shahi added that the policies and programmes have not provided any guidance in the context of economic development by making maximum use of the country's natural resources.     

Stating that although the constitution has mentioned the topic socialism, it is clear through the policies and programmes that the government has encouraged privatization, he said more clarity was needed on economic issues.     

He stressed the need to focus on the development of agriculture sector based on Nepali characteristics, to make 40 customs offices of the country fully automated and to make small customs more systematic.     

Shahi suggested taking effective measures based on past studies, closing down offices deemed unnecessary and reducing the number of employees in order to minimize the recurrent expenditure.     

According to him, a capable and self-reliant economy should be developed on the basis of national needs. He also stressed on the need for common and meaningful initiatives of all to further strengthen the local and provincial governments.(RSS)