Budget draws mixed reactions

Leaders from various political parties, former finance ministers and business community have given their mixed reactions over the new budget the government unveiled today. Chair of the ruling partner CPN (Maoist Centre) Pushpa Kamal Dahal said the government has done its best to bring the balanced and pro-people budget which would significantly help enforce the constitution and address the matters of reconstruction and peace process. Former Finance Minister and a leader from the main opposition Nepali Congress Ram Sharan Mahat said the budget reflects that there were no preparations and study before the budget-making. He expressed his doubt over the implementation of some programs introduced by the budget. "And more it indicates the risk of inviting instability. It seems that government wants to take opportunity from its last hours stay in the power by bringing the budget that tries to appease all," he said. Likewise, CPN-UML leader and former Finance Minister Bharat Mohan Adhikari said the government unveiled a popular and ambitious budget with the focus on infrastructure development, investment increment, production growth and the creation of employment opportunities. In overall, the budget is positive, he said and its implementation still remains a challenge. Similarly, CPN-UML leader and former Finance Minister Surendra Pandey said though budget seems positive in overall aspect, the target of attaining 6.5 economic growth rate is quite challenging. RPP Nepal criticize budget The Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal, one of the parties in the CPN-UML-led coalition government, has criticized the budget and termed it 'populist'. The implementation aspect of the budget is complicated, party Chief Whip Dinanath Sharma said. Likewise, Rastriya Prajatantra Party leader Sunil Bahadur Thapa said the budget looks like a 'sugar coated tablet as its promises seemed difficult to fulfill. The budget has received mixed feedbacks from the private sector too. President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Pashupati Murarka said the 'employment promotion' program, one of the priorities of the budget, was achievable if the private sector was asked for the cooperation towards this end. Haribhakta Sharma, Chair of Confederation of Nepal Industries, said the budget should promote industrial sector and lay its focus on investment increment. Federation of Small and Cottage Industries Vice Chair Basudev Giri said though commitments to modernize agro sector is positive, the budget had failed to address the productive sectors. RSS Source: Republica