Budget to lay special focus on excluded areas: Finance Minister Wagle

Kathmandu, May 19: Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle has said that the upcoming fiscal year budget would lay special focus on the excluded areas, including Sudurpaschim and Karnali. 

Responding to the queries raised by lawmakers in the discussion on the principles and priorities of the Appropriation Bill (excluding tax proposal) for the fiscal year 2083/84, Finance Minister asserted that the middle class would be expanded by uplifting the weaker class. 

Noting that he was clear on the assumption that implementation of development projects would be smooth only with adoption of a clear roadmap, Finance Minister Dr Wagle said the 'mission mode' has been put in practice for the first time. 

He mentioned that the principles and priorities of the Appropriation Bill would not only reflect the government's perspective but also clarify that honest efforts must be made for implementation. 

Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal informed that the Federal Parliament Secretariat would submit the necessary report, incorporating the suggestions and opinions of the Members of Parliament regarding the priorities and principles of the Appropriation Bill, to the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers and the Ministry of Finance. 

Earlier, participating in the discussion, MP Arjun Kumar Karki complained that the words 'poor' and 'poverty' were not included anywhere in the priorities and principles of the Appropriation Bill.

Lawmaker Indira Rana Magar urged the government to pay attention to citizens below the poverty line who do not receive basic healthcare. 

Likewise, lawmaker Yogesh Gauchan Thakali presented data showing that a large number of Nepali citizens go abroad daily and opined that the budget allocation should be of a type that minimizes the impact of the migration of economically active young people. 

Another lawmaker Kshitiz Thebe demanded that the Tamor Reservoir project be prioritized, a support price for cardamom be fixed, systems for the production and processing of medicinal herbs be developed, and provisions be made to ensure that farmers get the value of their produce directly at home. 

Also speaking on the occasion, lawmaker Sagar Bhusal commented that the Appropriation Bill is not merely a document of expenditures but a clear roadmap for the country's potential, self-reliance, and prosperity. 

Even amidst limited resources and challenging economic circumstances, introducing such farsighted principles and priorities while focusing on production, employment, good governance, and public trust is truly commendable, he said. 

Among others, delivering their remarks on the principles and priorities of the Appropriation Bill were, Bikram Thapa, Samiksha Banskota, Jagadish Kharel, Prashant Upreti, and Narendra Kumar Gupta, along with Anushka Shrestha, Rukmini Devi Koirala, Achyuttam Lamichhane, Bharat Bahadur Khadka, Ram Lama, Rajan Gautam, Shraddha Kunwar Shretri, and Rukesh Ranjit. 

Next meeting of the House of Representatives will be held at 11:00 am on May 20. (RSS)