Bagmati's policy and programme endorsed

By Rammani Dahal, Makwanpur, June 4: The annual policy and programme of the Bagmati Provincial Government for the fiscal year 2026/27 has been approved by a majority vote.

The policy and programme for the upcoming fiscal year was endorsed by a majority during the meeting of the Bagmati Provincial Assembly held on Tuesday.

Amendment proposals tabled by Provincial Assembly members Ratna Prasad Dhakal, Laxmi Ghimire, Sushma Bhujel Neupane and Yubaraj Chaulagai regarding the government’s policy and programme were rejected by a majority vote. 

The lawmakers who had proposed the amendments urged the Assembly to establish a tradition of revising the government’s policy and programme.

Deputy Speaker Apsara Chapagain, who chaired the Assembly meeting, informed the House that the amendment proposals put forward by the four provincial lawmakers had been rejected by a majority.

Earlier, responding to questions raised during discussions on the policy and programme for the fiscal year 2026/27, Bagmati Province Chief Minister Indra Bahadur Baniya said that a government must listen, tolerate criticism and improve itself by embracing constructive ideas.

He said that engaging in discussions and making improvements was a hallmark of democracy and described the Provincial Assembly as a platform for deliberation, constructive debate and meaningful criticism.

“We must embrace positive ideas, this is the beauty of democracy,” he said.

Chief Minister Baniya stated that the policy and programme had incorporated issues relating to industry, tourism, transport, infrastructure, sports and other sectors, adding that matters omitted from the policy and programme would be addressed through the budget.

He also pledged that issues related to Dalit empowerment would be included in the budget. “There will be no betrayal of public trust. The government will present a budget while remaining accountable to parliament. The budget will not belong solely to the government; it will be made a shared proposal of all,” he said.

He further stated that there would be no discrimination in the upcoming fiscal year’s budget and remarked that the policy, programme and budget would serve hardworking people rather than those seeking to exploit the system.

The provincial government’s policy and programme had been presented by the Bagmati Province Chief on May 26.