Eight proposals to slash Appropriation Bill expenditure presented in HoR

KATHMANDU: Eight proposals aimed at reducing expenses in the Appropriation Bill 2024, specifically for three ministries, were presented today in a House of Representatives meeting.

These proposals emerged during discussions on the budget allocations for these ministries in the Appropriation Bill.

Deliberations focused on the budgets for the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies; the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives, and Poverty Alleviation; and the Ministry of Health and Population.

The eight proposals target expense reductions for these three ministries.

Lawmaker Dilendra Prasad Badu proposed reducing the expenditure for the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies by one rupee, citing financial discipline violations due to various allowances for ministry officials and employees, which he claims have increased current expenditures.

Dr. Amaresh Kumar Singh also proposed reducing the expenditures for the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, and the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives, and Poverty Alleviation to one rupee each.

He criticized the budget for not promoting domestic goods production and marketization, arguing that economic prosperity depends on domestic production.

Singh also noted the ineffective implementation of citizens’ right to health and the lack of prioritization in the budget.

Lawmaker Prem Suwal proposed cutting expenditures for all three ministries, advocating for a robust economy through domestic capital formation and investment instead of reliance on foreign capital.

He urged the government to relocate industrial zones outside the Kathmandu Valley, prioritize constructing Special Economic Zones, and establish fair price shops in all local units.

Suwal also called for land provisions for the landless and criticized the budget for not addressing health sector issues.

Lawmaker Bina Lama suggested reducing the expenditure for the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies to one rupee.

Lawmaker Rupa BK proposed a similar reduction for the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives, and Poverty Alleviation.

Additionally, Lawmaker Gyan Bahadur Shahi recommended cutting the expenditure for the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives, and Poverty Alleviation to one rupee.

Lawmakers Shanti BK and Roshan Karki each presented proposals to reduce the expenditure for the Ministry of Health and Population to one rupee.