Bagmati Province Assembly Concludes Pre-Budget Discussions

Makwanpur. Pre-budget discussions on the provincial government's budget have concluded in the Bagmati Provincial Assembly. In the meeting of the Provincial Assembly held on Tuesday, discussions were held on the principles and priorities of the appropriation bill for the upcoming fiscal year (2083/084) (pre-budget).

In the meeting, MPs expressed their views on the proposal presented by the Minister of Economic Affairs and Planning, Prabhat Tamang. The MPs suggested that the government should bring a result-oriented budget by moving away from traditional methods.

During the discussions, the MPs urged that issues such as wildlife obstruction in agriculture, incomplete tourism infrastructure, economic recession, good governance, and social justice should be prominently included in the budget programs. In the meeting, the MPs expressed dissatisfaction with the government's working style and implementation of plans and criticized them.

• Are Humans Bigger Than Monkeys?

In the meeting, CPN (Maoist Centre) MP Ram Prasad Dhungana said that farmers are starting to migrate from villages due to the menace of monkeys, wild boars, and leopards. 'Are humans bigger than monkeys? From the hills to the Terai, farmers are forced to leave their homes due to the menace of monkeys, wild boars, and leopards. What is the meaning of principles and priorities when crops cannot be saved?' he said.

He stated that farmers are not only facing a shortage of fertilizer and seeds but are also finding it difficult to save their crops. 'Shortage of fertilizer and seeds is a perennial problem, but the government has no concrete policy to control wildlife,' he said.

In the meeting, MP Matrika Prasad Bhattarai also emphasized the need to make agricultural production import-oriented and modern. He stated that the problems of the farmers cannot be ignored forever. Asserting that it is time for the government to show results rather than just talk, he urged the government to implement the concept of smart wards and smart villages in areas like Dudhauli.

Congress MP Uttam Joshi said that improvements need to be made in the potential and implementation aspects of the tourism sector. According to him, although there are 222 lakes and numerous religious sites within the province, they have not been promoted.

'Where are the plans like the Buddha Circuit and Shiva Circuit announced in previous years? Instead of adding new plans, the government should complete the old and incomplete projects,' he said.

NCP MP Sirjana Sainju expressed concern that the country's overall economy is trapped in debt. Clarifying that the debt burden on each Nepali is more than 1 lakh 8 thousand, she said that a budget based on foreign aid and loans cannot make the country self-reliant.

She urged the government to adopt a socialist economic model based on import substitution and production. 'A budget brought by becoming a slave to foreign aid and loans cannot increase self-reliance,' she said. 'It is a demand for a socialist economy based on import substitution and production. The key to the market is outside (in foreign hands). Development is not possible until we stand on our own feet.'

MP Balkumari Bishwakarma expressed anger that the issues of the Dalit community were not prioritized by the government. She said that the exclusion of the word 'Dalit' from the government's 24-point priorities reflects indifference towards social justice. She stated that the dream of a prosperous province will remain incomplete without Dalit empowerment and special packages for their education, health, and employment.

MP Yuvraj Chaulagain said that a reformist approach is needed to reduce the number of ministries and make service delivery efficient. He suggested that digital transformation should be implemented in practice, not just as a slogan, and that AI education and technology should be integrated from the school level.

Madhu Kumar Shrestha, an MP from Dhading, said that the government should seriously consider the problems of Nepalis working abroad. He said that it costs 8,000 dollars to bring back the bodies of Nepalis who die in foreign lands. He stated that the provincial government should create a relief and rescue fund in times of humanitarian crisis.

MP Ratna Prasad Dhakal demanded that at least one hospital in each constituency should be equipped with a minimum laboratory (lab) and skilled manpower. He emphasized the need to make school education useful for life and skill-oriented. He stated that the budget should immediately address the problems of squatters and displaced people due to floods and landslides. He urged the government to prioritize the reconstruction of damaged roads and bridges in remote districts like Kavre, Sindhupalchok, and Dhading.