Govt failed to turn crisis into opportunity: Dr Rijal

KATHMANDU: Lawmaker of the main opposition party, Nepali Congress Dr Minendra Rijal has alleged the government for losing the opportunity to convert the corona crisis into an opportunity.

Taking part in the budget discussion at the Federal Parliament on Sunday, Dr Rijal said that the country has lost the opportunity for economic development as the government has utterly failed to tread on the path of transforming the crisis into opportunity.

He said, “The world, including Nepal, is facing the deepest crisis of the century. The budget was expected to turn this crisis into an opportunity. The majority government failed to do so”.

He expressed doubts on the management of budget to implement the commitment pledged in the 83-page document.

Dr Rijal also said that all conditional grants to the local level have declined and the government has lost its right to institutionalize federalism.

Allocating Rs 22.23 billion in the health sector alone would not be enough during this crisis, he said adding that the Rs 6 billion allocated for the prevention and control of corona was not even enough for testing for COVID-19.

He said that there is still time to save the country’s economy simultaneously with the relief efforts. “Let’s forget the 83-page document and focus on the rescue and relief efforts.”

“If we think that we can build an economy through common determination, we can turn the current situation into an opportunity,” he concluded.