In a meeting held at the prime minister´s official residence, majority of coalition partners, however, suggested to the government not to include any plan and policies that might cause controversy in the budget. “We have suggested to the prime minister to bring new budget at any cost on November 19,” said Rastriya Prajatantra Party Chairman Pashupati SJB Rana after the meeting. [break]
Rana said that they have suggested the government bring new budget in such a way that it does not include new plans and polices. “We asked the prime minister to bring new budget in consensus with the Maoists,” he said. “Else, majority will pass the budget in parliament.”
Asked what kind of budget will be presented in parliament, Finance Minister Surendra Pandey said the budget will contain all elements that it is supposed to have. “New budget will be presented in the third week of November,” he added.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Nepal had informed the meeting that he was holding consultations with the Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal for Maoist consent to present new budget. “We are hopeful that the Maoists won´t obstruct budget as this is the necessity of the country,” said UML leader Bharat Mohan Adhikari.
NC leader Ram Chandra Paudel said it is not an easy thing to obstruct presentation of the budget. “This is a problem of the entire country,” Poudel said after the meeting. “The budget should come in consensus. State cannot run without budget.”
Talking to media persons after the meeting, President of Chure Bhawar Ekata Party Keshav Prasad Mainali said they asked the prime minister to bring the new budget, taking all coalition partners into confidence. “We have asked that our plans also be incorporated in the new budget,” he added.
According to Mainali, NC and UML leaders had argued that the government should bring a full-fledged budget with new plans and polices but other coalition parties objected. “The new budget will aim at giving continuity to the ongoing development projects and running day to day activities of the state,” he further said.
Budget through ordinance: Oli
CPN-UML K P Sharma Oli said on Saturday that the government would bring new budget through ordinance if the Maoists disagree.
He alleged that the Maoists thwarted their desire to bring new budget through democratic method.
Inaugurating the statute of martyr Huma Nanda Banjade in Arghatosh in Arghakhanchi, Saturday, Oli said they will make last ditch effort to seek consensus with the Maoists.
Related story
What is missing in budget for agriculture?
