Madhesh Province Assembly Session Blocked Over Budget Dispute

Janakpurdham. Nearly four weeks after the Madhesh Province government unveiled the budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2083-84, the process for the budget has yet to advance in the Provincial Assembly. Despite the formation of a coalition government comprising the Nepali Congress, UML, and CPN, the inability to resolve the dissatisfaction of the opposition parties has led to the continuous obstruction of the Provincial Assembly since Asar 14.

Discussions on the budget, presented by Finance Minister Yuvraj Bhattarai of the government led by Krishna Yadav of the Nepali Congress, have been repeatedly stalled as opposition parties have voiced continuous protests, leading to the adjournment of Provincial Assembly meetings.

Opposition parties Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) Nepal, Janamat Party, and Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal have expressed serious dissatisfaction with the illegal appointments made to the Public Service Commission and Lokpal, as well as the budget and policy-program. They have taken a stance that the assembly will not function until the budget is revised.

Former Chief Minister and JSP Nepal leader Lalbabu Raut accused the government of bringing the budget with the intention of committing economic crimes, stating that such a budget would be unacceptable under any circumstances.

According to the opposition, the policy and program brought by the government are commission-oriented. They allege that the Chief Minister and ministers have included plans focused on their own constituencies and have misled the public by including many plans in a single recommendation, contrary to the commitment not to bring plans less than one crore rupees.

The opposition claims that the nutrition program, included in a similar format in all 136 local levels of Madhesh under special grants, also has the intention of commission.

Upendra Mahato, a Provincial Assembly member of JSP Nepal, alleged that the plan of 12 crore 40 lakh rupees allocated for the distribution of nutrition materials was sent to all municipalities based on collusion and vested interests.

Opposition parties have commented that the budget for the upcoming fiscal year is impractical, directionless, and focused on the interests of a limited number of individuals.

Meanwhile, the ruling party claims that the budget was brought based on discussions and agreements with all parties. The ruling party states that the opposition is obstructing the assembly due to dissatisfaction over plans not being included in their areas and to create pressure to continue the old practice through consumer committees.

Finance Minister Yuvraj Bhattarai stated that efforts to resolve the problem through dialogue are ongoing. He said,