MP Ramesh Malla Criticizes Budget Allocation for Law Ministry and Transitional Justice

Kathmandu. Nepali Communist Party MP Ramesh Malla has said that the tendency to prioritize the rule of law, access to justice, human rights protection, and transitional justice issues in speeches but neglect them in the budget is regrettable. He said this on Tuesday while speaking on the subject of ministry-wise budget in the House of Representatives. He said that the budget shows the reality of the government and this time the budget has sent a message that it has prioritized other issues over justice. He said that the budget for the Ministry of Law is not sufficient. He said that although the responsibility of the Ministry of Law and Parliamentary Affairs is large, the budget allocated is low. He said that only 58 crore 48 lakh has been allocated as budget and the government has not understood the importance of the ministry. He said that the budget allocated by the government for providing free legal aid to poor citizens deprived of access to justice is only 11 lakh 97 thousand. He said that this amount is not sufficient to provide free legal aid to poor citizens deprived of access to justice. He said that transitional justice is still in uncertainty and urged to move it forward immediately. He expressed dissatisfaction with the low budget allocated for the establishment of the Reconciliation Fund. He said that only 9 crore 10 lakh is visible for this. He said, 'The government has been urged to prioritize the establishment of a fund for the search and reconciliation of disappeared persons. This has come under your responsibility. This is the responsibility of the state.' He complained that although the government had assured the representatives of Karnali of justice in budget allocation during discussions, it has not been shown in practice. He said, 'The Prime Minister had said that Karnali would not be treated unjustly in the budget. Its effect is not seen in the budget. The ruling party had said that the representatives do not have to go to the ministry to ask for the budget, the government itself will make the necessary arrangements.' He said that the representatives were called from the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and asked to recommend three road projects on the basis of priority, but not a single project was included.