Start preparation to bring budget: Prachanda tells FM Pun

KATHMANDU, June 23:

While two big opposition parties-- Nepali Congress and CPN-UML-- have been pressing the Maoist-led incumbent government to pave way for a national unity government before talking about the fiscal budget, Caretaker Finance Minister Barshaman Pun has been suggested by Maoist Chairman Pusha Kamal Dahal to commence the administrative process to bring a full-fledged budget.

Pun who reached Dahal’s residence at Lazimapt on Saturday morning, along with Finance Secretary Krishna Hari Banskota, has been advised by the former Prime Minister Dahal to make preparations in releasing a full-fledged budget of around Rs 429 billion.

Earlier, when Pun consulted top leaders of the opposition parties to bring budget through ordinance, he was advised by UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal and NC President Sushil Koirala that the budget is possible only after the political consensus, citing that caretaker government owns no right to bring a full-fledged budget.

It seems the budget has once again become the bargaining chip for big guns.

Source: THT