KATHMANDU: The Nepali Congress (NC), despite holding key ministries in the coalition government led by Maoist Center’s Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, has deemed the government’s performance unsatisfactory.

The party, which oversees crucial portfolios such as finance, foreign affairs, labor, and employment, conveyed its assessment during the party’s recently-concluded Central Committee meeting.

Ministers representing the Nepali Congress provided updates on their respective areas of responsibility, but the party’s conclusion was that the government’s progress fell short of expectations.

While acknowledging some positive indicators in the economic sector, such as a decrease in loan interest rates and a boost in real estate activity, the Nepali Congress asserted that overall advancements were not substantial.

The party’s statement, released post-meeting, highlighted that the import of goods in the current financial year was lower than the previous year, signaling unsatisfactory progress in the commercial and business sectors.

The Nepali Congress meeting emphasized an ongoing challenge from the past—financial difficulties in funding capital expenditures.

Delays in payments to builders of completed projects were cited as contributing to a slowdown in development and construction initiatives.

While acknowledging significant strides by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under Nepali Congress’s leadership, the party criticized the government for its alleged failure to secure the release of Bipin Joshi, a student in Israel, and the retrieval of the body of a Nepali citizen who died while enlisted in the Russian army during the Russia-Ukraine war.

The Nepali Congress’s evaluation of the coalition government painted a picture of dissatisfaction, citing both economic concerns and specific lapses in diplomatic efforts.