The postponement came following a meeting between Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai and President Ram Baran Yadav this afternoon. According to the PM´s personal aide Bishwodip Pandey, the prime minister and president agreed to set aside one more day for political consensus on the budget. [break]
Now the president will call a meeting of UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress and CPN-UML along United Democratic Madhesi Front, also to be participated by the prime minister, on Monday in a last ditch effort for consensus, Pandey informed.
There has been a long-standing difference between the ruling coalition and opposition parties with regard to introducing the new budget. The opposition parties including Nepali Congress and CPN-UML have insisted that the government can´t bring the budget without forging consensus among political parties.
(This is an update on the following story)
Gov to forward budget today
The government has decided to send full budget to the president Sunday for endorsement The decision was taken following a meeting of ruling coalition partners today.
A cabinet meeting is due later today to endorse the budget. Earlier today, President Dr Ram Baran Yadav had talks with top leaders of the major political parties and had pressed them for early consensus. [break]
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai has reached the presidential residence, Shital Niwas, Maharajgunj and briefed President Dr Ram Baran Yadav on the the ruling parties´ decision about the new budget. Chief Secretary Lilamani Poudel was also present in the meeting.
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