KATHMANDU, May 31: Amid widespread criticism of the government decision to hike the development fund for lawmakers, Finance Minister Yuba Raj Khatiwada on Thursday defended the 'distributive' budget saying that the government cannot ignore voices of elected representatives in a democratic system.

KATHMANDU, May 31: Minister for Finance Yuba Raj Khatiwada unveiled budget for Fiscal Year 2019/20 in parliament on Wednesday.

KATHMANDU, May 30: The government has unveiled a budget of Rs 1.53 trillion for the upcoming fiscal year 2019/20 without introducing any notable new development project while raising the rates of major taxes and increasing allocations for distributive programs.

KATHMANDU, May 30: The government has decided to hike the salary of all government employees by up to 20 percent starting mid-July.

KATHMANDU, May 30: Despite criticism from various quarters, the government has decided to provide Rs 60 million to each lawmaker in the House of Representatives elected under the First Past the Post (FPTP) system, for the development of their respective constituencies.