KATHMANDU, July 4: The National Assembly has concluded deliberations on multiple topics of the Appropriation Bill 2076. The meeting of the National Assembly on Thursday, wrapped up discussions on the appropriation headings and the programs related to the Ministry of Health and Population, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, the National Planning Commission, the Office of the President and the Office of the Vice President, included in the Appropriation Bill 2076.

The ministers concerned will respond to the issues raised by lawmakers during discussions on the various topics under the Appropriation Bill from Friday. National Assembly chairman Ganesh Prasad Timilsina fixed the July 5, 7 and 8 for the discussion.

Speaking in the meeting, Jitendra Narayan Dev of the Nepali Congress criticized the budget as being ritualistic and principally wrong, suggesting for a review. He said the principle of budgetary allocation itself was wrong and that the budget should be allocated on the basis of the country's priorities. Chakra Prasad Snehi of the NCP complained that even the minimum of budget was not earmarked for the health sector in the Far-west province, calling for making budgetary allocation so as to address the entire nation by adopting the principle of proportional inclusion.

Taradevi Bhatta of the Nepali Congress blamed that not much budget has been allocated for the development of the health sector and demanded assigning skilled health professionals in all the health structures through the budget. Lawmaker Ramesh Kumar Yadav called for making provisions for the collective recruitment of youths from the Madhesi community in the Nepal Army and for providing anti snake venom at all the health centers in the Tarai.

Dhana Kumari Khatiwada said it is the inherent right of the Nepali people to get health services and therefore the budget should be allocated in such a way that health services could be expanded at the state and local levels. Lawmaker Bimala Poudel said that although National Planning Commission has crucial role for development projection of the country, estimating resources, suggesting and making plans, it was necessary to restructure and reform the Commission after analyzing its way of carrying out activities so far.

Similarly, Badri Prasad Pandey of the Nepali Congress argued that no budget was found allocated for Karnali and remote areas as told. He said curtailing the rights of local levels has made federalism weak as well as initiative taken to forward bills related to human rights, guthi and media council have made democracy weak. Making the arrangement of budget to make health service accessible to all, establishing health institutions in all local levels, construction of modern building of Bir Hospital in Bhaktapur is the matter of happiness, Bhairab Sundar Shrestha of NCP said and stressed that support of all was necessary for implementation of budget. Likewise, lawmaker Mina Budha demanded allocation of budget for other tourism sites of Rolpa district like Jaljala. Lawmaker Yutol Tamang said that budget should be given to state and local governments and the federal government should monitor it. The NA will next meet at 11:00 am on July 5.

 
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