Dr Baburam Bhattarai
Former Finance Minister
Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist)
We have not accepted the legality of this government so in principle we have rejected the budget presented by the current government. The existing government has tried to give continuity to majority of the programs introduced by the previous government of which I was the finance minister. It´s us who had put the train on the track. When something is on the track it is easy to move it. But see how the present government has failed in terms of tax collection. Since our party left the government, the tax collection of the government has suffered a lot. Besides, the finance minister has failed to adopt measures to ensure high economic growth rate and generate employment opportunities.
Mahesh Acharya
Central Committee Member
Nepali Congress
The budget looks over-ambitious but a lot depends on how the government will tackle the problems. The country is currently mired in a matrix of problems due to high inflationary and lower growth rate, development budget which remained unspent and investment climate which is further deteriorating. First and foremost, the government must improve the law and order situation in the country. It should then win the confidence of the opposition and focus on providing prompt services to the people. All these are certainly very hard to achieve but if the government cannot then it will definitely face problems while implementing the announced programs.
Dilli Raj Khanal
Economist
Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist)
This budget has completely abandoned the progressive measures taken by the previous government to revive the country´s economy and provide relief to impoverished population. For instance, the finance minister has scrapped the provision to write off loans of up to Rs 30,000 taken by individuals from Agriculture Development Bank. If the current government had given continuity to this program it would have benefited countless dalits, members of indigenous groups and poor peasants. The government has also failed to chalk out steps to provide respite to people who are feeling the heat of continuous price hikes. The revenue target set by the government also looks ambitious. In short, the budget is just a stopgap solution to keep the government in power.
Binod Chaudhary
Constituent Assembly Member
President, Confederation of Nepalese Industries
The government´s decision to annul scrap tax and local development tax are very positive. The move by the government to provide Rs 500,000 to kin of the deceased in traffic accident is also praiseworthy. Although the government has not clearly spelt it out, the language used by the government with regards to public enterprise reform gives clear indication that it is in support of privatization of government-owned enterprises. This is also a positive aspect. However, the government has not acknowledged the role of the private sector in the country´s economic development. Currently, private sector has invested around Rs 275 billion in various sectors. The government should have announced programs to raise it to Rs 400 billion. This would have ensured additional two percentage points growth.
Pradeep Jung Pandey
Vice President
Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry
The budget is very development-oriented. The government´s decision to make more investments in infrastructure projects is a very positive move. I also welcome the decision to annul the scrap tax. But the government´s attempt to reform various sectors will not bear fruit until the security situation improves in the country. In the coming days, the government must introduce concrete programs to end bandas and general strikes in the country. It should then strictly implement those programs to ensure the country´s investment climate remains unpolluted.
Dilli Kafle
Stationery Shop Owner
Kupondol
Sorry, I didn´t watch the live telecast on the television but I presume the government must have staged the same old drama. In my personal opinion, budget is an annual ritual where the finance minister makes promises but does not do anything throughout the year to live up to it. Prices of goods are going up every day and corruption is rampant. Can the government control all this? Look at the situation of our country. Development work has come to a standstill but still the government only thinks of ways to pocket some money from every project that they lay their hands on. This is really frustrating.
Tek Bahadur Shrestha
Taxi Driver
Ramechhap, Gaushara VDC
Budget? What budget? I have never heard of that. Anyway, I am not that annoyed with the government as it has connected my village with the road network. Now, I don´t have to walk for one whole day to reach my village. I´m wondering if it could do the same with electricity. I am sure I would be more proud of the government if it could fulfill this wish.
Biraj Lama
Rickshaw Puller
Makawanpur, Ward No 2
Budget doesn´t hold any significance to me or my village in Rakashkhola. The government had started construction of around 20-km road to connect my village with a bigger road network some four or five years ago. But it reached my village only last year. I´ve heard that government officials are too corrupt and inefficient; that must be the reason why it took around five years to dig a 20-km road. The people in the authorities had said they´d black top it soon but one year has passed and nothing has transpired. Traveling on it during the monsoon season is impossible. I believe people in the government only know how to make false promises.
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