CPN-UML Lawmaker Somnath Poudel Criticizes Government's Economic Policies

Kathmandu. CPN-UML lawmaker Somnath Poudel has claimed that the current government cannot create an investment-friendly environment in the country under any circumstances.

Participating in the discussion on the principles and priorities of the Appropriation Bill in the National Assembly meeting held on Tuesday, he clarified that an investment-friendly environment cannot be created by setting fire to industries and intimidating businessmen.

He stated that although the government has made big claims of creating an investment-friendly environment and restoring the confidence of the private sector, the confidence of the private sector has further declined because industrialists and businessmen are being arrested and imprisoned on whims.

He also raised a serious question during the discussion, asking whether the government should compensate for the industries that have been turned into ashes and the private property of citizens.

He said that there is no clarity in the priorities of the budget regarding the government's economic policy and fiscal federalism. He criticized the government for claiming to restructure the economy but failing to present a clear roadmap for it. Mentioning that the criteria for distributing resources to the provinces and local levels have not been clarified, he said that enhancing the revenue capacity of the local levels is not among the government's priorities.

Commenting on the government's contradictory policies, lawmaker Poudel said, 'The government says it will restructure the economy. What is the roadmap for fiscal federalism of the government? What is the criterion for distributing resources to the provinces and local levels? Does enhancing the revenue capacity of the provinces and local levels fall within the priorities of this government's work plan? I want to ask the government. The government has talked about creating an investment-friendly economic environment and restoring the confidence of the private sector. People say that the members of the 'Kharane Gang' are currently in power, I don't know if what those people say is true or not. It is the government's responsibility to clarify when citizens ask questions, I will not go into that. But I just want to say this, an investment-friendly environment is not created by setting fire to industries. The confidence of the private sector is not restored by arresting and imprisoning industrialists and businessmen on whims. I want to ask the government, is it the government's responsibility to compensate for the industries that have been turned into ashes and the private property of citizens?'

Lawmaker Poudel commented interestingly that although the principles and priorities of the Appropriation Bill presented by the government mention the address of heaven, the path to reach there is not shown anywhere. He urged the government to bring realistic policies instead of making empty talk, saying that the government's style of taking steps towards the path of hell while holding the address of heaven in hand will not lead to the targeted destination.

He claimed that this Appropriation Bill does not align with the fundamental principles of a socialist-oriented economy, inclusive development, economic equality, and social justice envisioned by the constitution. He also commented that the government is making a new and wrong practice of arbitrary governance in the name of good governance and expressed anger in the parliament, asking what kind of arbitrary governance the government is trying to present by running a bulldozer over the huts of poor citizens.