The discussion on the annual estimate of revenue and expenditure for the fiscal year 2026/27 has started in today's meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR).
During the deliberations, MPs expressed their opinions for and against the budget.
In the meeting, Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) MP Dr Krishna Hari Budhathoki expressed the view that the budget should pay attention to entrepreneurs' concerns.
Nepali Congress MP Shahjan Khatun stated that customs revenue has increased by 40 percent compared to before and urged the Finance Minister to clarify the basis on which customs revenue is estimated.
MP Ganesh Singh Thagunna of CPN-UML expressed concern that despite the aspirations for proportional development of the country, districts like Bajhang, Bajura, Doti, and Achham, which need development, did not receive adequate budget for that purpose. He noted that although there is talk of allocating budget to border areas, they have not been prioritized.
Parasuram Tamang, a lawmaker from Nepali Communist Party (NCP), said that the budget for the next fiscal year has further widened the gap between the rich and poor and suggested that along with controlling wild animals in the hills, economic activities in the hills should also be increased.
MP Harkaraj Rai of Shram Sanskriti Party highlighted in the house that the budget should have focused on solving people's problems, but that didn't happen, and drew attention to the issue of people in Dharan facing shortage of drinking water.
Dr Amaresh Kumar Singh, MP from RSP, expressed disagreement over the imposition of taxes on education in the budget, stating that fundamental rights should not be taxed. He complained that even though employees' salaries increased, there were no effective relief programs for the general public.
Nepali Congress MP Sita Thapaliya said although it was expected that the concept of model schools would be introduced in every district through the budget statement, such programs were not included in the budget. She also raised objections to the taxation on education and said there were no effective programs in the budget for rural areas and village farmers.
MP Tukabhadra Hamal of CPN (UML) expressed the view that next year's budget fails to cover any particularly important issues.
The discussion on the annual estimate of revenue and expenditure is ongoing in the meeting.
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