KATHMANDU, June 12: Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has defended the controversial Parliamentary Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP), previously known as the Constituency Development Program, claiming that the amount will not find its way into the pockets of lawmakers.
While addressing the queries raised by lawmakers in the House of Representatives (HoR) meeting on Monday, Finance Minister Dr Mahat assured that the funds allocated for the PIDP would not be misused. He revealed that a budget of Rs 50 million has been assigned to each constituency for the program.
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"This amount will not find its way into the pockets of lawmakers. Instead, it will be utilized for a maximum of five schemes, as recommended by the parliamentarians. The relevant ministry will oversee the process of awarding contracts to ensure transparency and accountability," said Finance Minister Dr Mahat.
Dr Mahat also highlighted the importance of parliamentarians making recommendations in a bid to clarify any misunderstanding. He emphasized that the people's expectations are high and they view their elected representatives not only as lawmakers but also as individuals who can address their development concerns effectively. Thus, making recommendations becomes crucial and justified in order to meet these expectations, he said.
Dr Mahat further emphasized that the PIDP does not discriminate between proportional, direct, and National Assembly members. All parliamentarians will collaborate to recommend plans and ensure equal opportunities for development across all constituencies.
Regarding unutilized funds, Dr Mahat stated that if a parliamentarian from any constituency chooses not to utilize the allocated budget, the funds will be reallocated for capital expenditure to ensure efficient utilization of resources. Minister Mahat also reiterated the government’s commitment to promote transparency, fairness, and effective utilization of resources under the PIDP.
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