KATHMANDU: The government has allocated the ‘necessary’ budget to repatriate Nepalis stranded abroad due to coronavirus lockdown.

Presenting the budget for the coming Fiscal Year 2020/21 in the joint sitting of the Federal Parliament today, Finance Minister Dr. Yubaraj Khatiwada informed that the budget has been allocated for the repatriation of Nepalis who are facing serious health risks abroad and rendered jobless among other issues.

A large number of Nepalis living abroad want to return home. Up to 2.6 million Nepali migrants are estimated to be in the Gulf, Malaysia and Korea and many have lost their jobs due to coronavirus lockdowns in those countries and are willing to return.

Even after various countries including India have started rescuing their citizens, the government is being criticized from all quarters as Nepali citizens are still stranded. Many Nepalis have been stranded along the Nepal-India border.

Earlier, the Supreme Court (SC) has issued an interim order to the government to evacuate Nepalis who have been rendered jobless and having a hard time meeting daily needs in foreign countries.