Opposition Parties Call on President on Budget Issues
Kathmandu, July 11: Leaders of the main opposition parties- the Nepali Congress and CPN (UML)- called on President Dr Ram Baran Yadav on the budget issues at the Rastrapati Bhawan, Shital Niwas, today.
On the occasion, they drew the attention of the President citing that the government could bring only the one third budget in accordance with the Article 96 (A) of the Interim Constitution.Informing the President about the decisions of the Tuesday's all-party meeting, they said that they would not accept the budget if it is brought in a full size in accordance with an article related to remove difficulties in the Interim Constitution. Stating that the government with the caretaker status had brought the partial budget in the past too, leaders of the opposition political parties said the all-party meeting agreed on not to bring the complete budget in the absence of political consensus to that end.
Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala, General Secretary Krishna Prasad Sitaula and central members Dr Ram Sharan Mahat and Dr Minendra Rijal were among those present at the meeting on behalf of the party.
Likewise, from the CPN (UML), Chairman Jhalanath Khanal, Vice Chairman Bamdev Gautam and Secretary Bishnu Nepal called on the President. Similarly, Co- Chairman of Rastriya Janashakti Party Dr Prakash Chandra Lohani was also present on the occasion."We could agree on the budget not exceeding one third of the total expenditure of the fiscal year as per the Article 96 (A) in the Interim Constitution", said NC leader and former finance minister Mahat after the meeting.
Though the all-party meeting on Tuesday agreed not to bring a full-fledged budget, rumors are heard that the government is planning to announce the budget of different nature following the article related to remove difficulties, he said.Also talking to media, UML leader and former finance minister Surendra Pandey said, "One third means partial", and added that budget brought by the caretaker governments in the past was also only 'one third'.In response, the President said that he would move ahead abiding by the constitution, said leaders quoting the President.
Likewise, also talking to media after the meeting, UML Vice Chairman Gautam said the government has no alternative except to bringing the one third budget as per the Article 96 (A) as the nation is running without the parliament.Though Chairman of the ruling party UCPN ( Maoist) Pushpa Kamal Dahal during the all-party meeting promised not to bring the full budget, the government statement on bringing a special full budget under the article related to removing difficulties is unconstitutional, he said.
