Hullabaloo on budget is govt's pressure tactic: Mahat

KATHMANDU, Nov 5: Former Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat on Monday tagged government´s announcement of looming budget crunch and problems it might face on delivery of basic services as publicity stunt aimed at exerting pressure and emotionally blackmailing the opposition parties.

“This hullabaloo is aimed at emotionally blackmailing the opposition, but what it must understand is ending the political deadlock and steering country in fresh era of hope is more important at this juncture than announcing full budget,” said Mahat.[break]

Senior leader of Nepali Congress Mahat even said that the lack of full budget will not push country into crisis as the government is claiming.

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“There are multiple ways through which the government can manage its finances. For instance, if it is in a dire position financially it can enact appropriation bill through ordinance,” Mahat said at a program.

Mahat opined that appropriation ordinance too will enable the government to execute all existing development programs as their budget requirements are well incorporated in the three-year budget projections that the government made two years earlier.

“But instead of going for that, the government is hell bent on announcing full budget and making all efforts to build case for it. Why does it need full budget at this juncture?” he questioned.

Citing that announcement of full budget with new programs could influence the fresh constituent assembly (CA) polls, which parties have converged at of late, Mahat ruled out full budget without political consensus.

“Full budget will not come without political consensus,” said Mahat. “And the consensus for budget will be built only when all outstanding political issues are settled,” he added.

In his address, Mahat also suggested the president to take an initiative by giving a week´s time to the government for building consensus to end the existing stalemate in the country.

"The president should give seven days time for the current Maoist-led government to step down and pave way for a consensus government,” he stated.

In case a consensus government can not be formed within the time-frame, Mahat viewed the president as the Head of the State should take an initiative for forming the new government using Article 38 (1) of the interim constitution.

“The president repeatedly urged the leaders for consensus, but his words were never honored. This cannot go on for long. Hence, now the time has come for him (the president) to step in for forming the new election government,” said Mahat.