KATHMANDU: Lawmakers of main opposition Nepali Congress have stressed on effective policy and programs to combat COVID-19 and revive the national economy damaged by the pandemic.

They have claimed that the new budget is insufficient to address the COVID-19 affected areas.

The lawmakers have urged the government to reduce the expenditures under the different heading on the Appropriation Bill.

Taking part in the deliberations, lawmaker Jitendra Dev argued to reduce the allowances under different headings of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.

Similarly, lawmaker Anita Devkota asked to reduce the expenditure of the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources and the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.

Lawmakers Ramesh Jung Rayamajhi and Prakash Pantha called upon the government to reduce expenditures under different headings of Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs, Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Office of the President, Office of the Vice President and National Planning Commission.