KATHMANDU: Comparing the national economy to a dilapidated vehicle, Nepali Congress (NC) lawmaker Binod Chaudhary has said a worn-out vehicle cannot run faster or smoother simply by replacing its driver.
Taking part in deliberations on the principles and priorities of the Appropriation Bill in the parliament on Thursday, he said the current economic crisis was not linked to the incumbent government or the finance minister. He added the process of ruining the economy has been ongoing for long.
“An old vehicle cannot run faster or smoother by simply replacing its driver,” he said, adding, “This is the present condition of the national economy.”
“The incumbent finance minister and the government are not to blame, this government has not even got a chance to table the budget for once,” he said.
Chaudhary viewed that the tendency to hide problems in the economy when one is in power was dangerous. “The economy is discussed only during the budget. Why isn’t one serious about it at other times?” he questioned.
He said that the declining administrative capacity to implement the budget was not being addressed even though the issue was raised time and again. “Due to the same, capital expenditure stands at only 31 percent even this year.”
Stating that there was extreme frustration among the youths, he said the budget should play a crucial role in retaining youths within the country.
Saying investment ought to be done in the education sector within the country, he said doing so would help retain a large amount of foreign money being spent for abroad study.
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