Concerned, prez prods parties on timely budget
KATHMANDU, JUN 18 -
President Dr Ram Baran Yadav on Friday urged top leaders of three major political parties to find a meeting point on the timely promulgation of the budget for the next fiscal year and rescue the country from economic crisis.
The president expressed concern over the budget in a joint meeting with Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal, UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala at Shital Niwas. According to Dr Yadav, the failure of all the three governments—formed after the Constituent Assembly elections in 2008—in unveiling the annual fiscal estimates within the stipulated time has hit the country’s economy.
“The president requested the leaders to see to it that the country does not witness an economic disorder. He expressed concern over the repeated failure to introduce the budget within the stipulated time,” the president’s Press Advisor Rajendra Dahal said.
Finance Minister Bharat Mohan Adhikari briefed Dr Yadav on the tentative calendar and efforts to forge consensus. The government wants parliament to conduct pre-budget discussions from June 22-26, table its annual policies and programmes on June 28 and present the budget in House on July 13.
“The government is encouraged by the president’s views. I am hopeful we will soon be able to have consensus,” the minister said. During the talk, Sushil Koirala said his party was positive about bringing a full budget, but wants to see progress in peace and constitution. NC is learnt to have told the government that the party will concentrate on other issues besides peace process only after Sunday’s deadline for finalising the modality of integrating the Maoist combatants. The parties are likely to hold talks on Monday and Tuesday to find a meeting point on budget. They should arrive at a conclusion and complete pre-budget discussions in the next 10 days to bring the budget in a regular manner. The president will have to read out the policies in the House after the discussions and before the budget. The president also urged the leaders to abide by the five-point agreement signed on May 29 to create trust among them. He cautioned that the parties’ credibility will further erode if they fail to meet the Aug 31 deadline of the CA.
Source: Kantipur
President Dr Ram Baran Yadav on Friday urged top leaders of three major political parties to find a meeting point on the timely promulgation of the budget for the next fiscal year and rescue the country from economic crisis.
The president expressed concern over the budget in a joint meeting with Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal, UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala at Shital Niwas. According to Dr Yadav, the failure of all the three governments—formed after the Constituent Assembly elections in 2008—in unveiling the annual fiscal estimates within the stipulated time has hit the country’s economy.
“The president requested the leaders to see to it that the country does not witness an economic disorder. He expressed concern over the repeated failure to introduce the budget within the stipulated time,” the president’s Press Advisor Rajendra Dahal said.
Finance Minister Bharat Mohan Adhikari briefed Dr Yadav on the tentative calendar and efforts to forge consensus. The government wants parliament to conduct pre-budget discussions from June 22-26, table its annual policies and programmes on June 28 and present the budget in House on July 13.
“The government is encouraged by the president’s views. I am hopeful we will soon be able to have consensus,” the minister said. During the talk, Sushil Koirala said his party was positive about bringing a full budget, but wants to see progress in peace and constitution. NC is learnt to have told the government that the party will concentrate on other issues besides peace process only after Sunday’s deadline for finalising the modality of integrating the Maoist combatants. The parties are likely to hold talks on Monday and Tuesday to find a meeting point on budget. They should arrive at a conclusion and complete pre-budget discussions in the next 10 days to bring the budget in a regular manner. The president will have to read out the policies in the House after the discussions and before the budget. The president also urged the leaders to abide by the five-point agreement signed on May 29 to create trust among them. He cautioned that the parties’ credibility will further erode if they fail to meet the Aug 31 deadline of the CA.
Source: Kantipur
