KATHMANDU, May 4: The government’s policy and program unveiled ahead of the annual budget is supposed to give a clear direction to its activities and expenditure in the upcoming fiscal year. But the policy and program unveiled by President Bidya Bhandari on Friday lack anything as such, according to economists.
The document containing 218 points includes various petty projects—many seen as projects to be developed by local bodies.
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Economist Keshab Acharya says the document lacks clear focus and direction.
“This kind of document is supposed to set clear targets for the government in overall sectors,” he said. “But this kind of scattered policy and program does not help to achieve anything.”
Economists argue that the policy and program contain many petty projects which could have been incorporated in the budget itself. For example, the policy and program even mention the government’s plan to wash vehicles before they enter the Kathmandu Valley and build meeting halls with the capacity to accommodate 2,000 participants in each provincial headquarters.
Economists argue that the policy and program fail to set strategies to achieve double-digit economic growth and generate employment opportunities in the country.
