May 19: A meeting of the House of Representatives on Wednesday held discussion on the principles and priorities of budget and the programmes to be included in the appropriation bill for the next fiscal year (FY 2022/23).    
Attending the session, lawmakers stressed the need for balanced development activities and economic distribution. Suggesting that a common understanding should be reached to bring the budget, they stressed that it should prioritise agriculture, energy and tourism and lead the country toward economic independence.     
The principles and priorities of budget presented in Tuesday’s HoR session by Finance Minister Janardan Sharma focused on maintaining fiscal discipline. The government has proposed budget allocation for the projects that are feasible in terms of finance and technology and also plans to cut government expenditure in non-productive areas.    
Similarly, the budget proposal has emphasised on building an independent and socialism-oriented economy while focusing on social justice and rural development, generating job opportunities for youths within the country and increasing agricultural production.    
During the discussion, ruling NC’s whip Pushpa Bhusal Gautam expressed the hope that the budget would help take strides in rural development and in the sectors of energy and tourism while increasing agricultural production.    
Similarly, Haribol Gajurel from the CPN (Maoist Center), a coalition partner in the incumbent government, criticised the principles and priorities of budget for not including the issue of land reforms. He suggested that there should have been a wide discussions among political parties, both ruling and opposition, before making government’s policies and programmes.    
Uma Shankar Aragariya from the Loktantrik Samajwadi Party stressed the need for prioritising agriculture and resolving problems faced farmers such as the lack of fertilizers and seeds.

Main opposition CPN (UML)’s Khagaraj Adhikari emphasised the need to transform tourism and culture into national capital. He also criticised the incumbent government of increasing trade deficit.    
Also, Samina Hussein from the CPN (Unified Socialist), an alliance partner in the government, underscored the need for the agriculture development.

The lower house will next meet today (May 19) at 1:00 pm. -- RSS