MP Rajendra Kumar Rai Criticizes Budget Priorities for Neglecting Rural Issues

Kathmandu. CPN-UML MP Rajendra Kumar Rai has criticized the principles and priorities of the upcoming fiscal year's appropriation bill presented by the government, stating that it fails to address the real problems of rural areas and the common citizens.

Participating in the discussion on the Appropriation Bill, 2083, in the House of Representatives, MP Rai commented that although the Finance Minister is learned, the priorities he has brought do not reflect the reality of the country.

He expressed serious dissatisfaction with the absence of ministers during discussions on important issues in the parliament, stating that the public is closely observing such irresponsible behavior by the government in parliament. MP Rai drew the government's special attention to the significant migration from hilly areas and the resulting demographic crisis.

Discussing the extreme disparity in the education and health sectors, he said it is extremely unfortunate that there is not a single medical college in the hilly districts of Koshi Province. He demanded the immediate establishment of medical colleges in the hilly areas to ensure that the children of the poor can also study medicine.

Furthermore, he emphasized that the upcoming budget must include a concrete plan to correctly project and produce the technical manpower required for the country's development, such as engineers, doctors, agriculture, and forestry experts.

Describing the dire situation in the hilly regions, MP Rai said, 'People are migrating en masse from the hills. Monkeys are more of a menace in the villages than the government. There are not even enough people to attend funerals when someone dies. If the Himalayas and hills, which constitute 83 percent of the land area and 54 percent of the population, are not prioritized, this region will turn into a jungle in 10-15 years.'

He gave an important suggestion to the government to arrange for the purchase of agricultural products like maize, wheat, and sugarcane from farmers through local levels and ensure their market. Similarly, he complained that although the development of tourist destinations in Koshi Province such as the famous Namaste Jharna, Rajarani Tal, and Bhedetar could greatly contribute to the overall economic transformation of the country, the government has not included such important areas in its budget priorities.

He alerted the government that balanced development of the country is not possible if the state does not bring plans to invigorate the rural and hilly economies.