Former Finance Minister Pun Criticizes Budget for Lack of Clarity and Populist Nature

Kathmandu. Former Finance Minister Barshaman Pun has stated that the budget brought for the coming year lacks clarity. Speaking at a program organized in the capital, he said that although various issues have been included in the budget, looking at the overall structure, it can be seen to be somewhat 'populist' in nature, and the budget has not been able to focus clearly on any particular sector.

Pun said that the characteristic of populism is to present programs that are pleasing to everyone, but there is no clarity on how feasible they are in implementation, adding that the budget brought by the government is also like that. He said that although the budget seems to have included the issues raised by all national parties in its formulation, the government's own clear political perspective and priorities are not sufficiently visible. According to him, many programs appear to be a continuation of projects and policies put forward by previous governments.

Former Finance Minister Pun said, ‘It seems an effort has been made to include all issues in the budget. But our ideological criticism is that this perspective appears to be somewhat 'populist' in nature. The characteristic of populism is to talk about things that are pleasing to everyone, but there is not enough clarity on whether those things will be fulfilled in practice. In the formulation of this budget, an effort has been made to include the issues raised by all national parties. But the government's own clear vision, political perspective, and priorities are not sufficiently visible. The budget appears to cover all issues. Most of the programs also seem to be a continuation of projects put forward by past governments and political parties.’

Former Finance Minister Pun said that the main question is related to the government's priorities. According to him, although the budget seems to cover all issues when heard and seen, a clear strategy, priorities, and focused perspective that will yield expected results are not visible.