KATHMANDU: Maoist Center leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha has said that the principles and priorities of the upcoming fiscal year’s appropriation bill continue to reflect the status quo and fail to adequately address the nation’s deepening problems.
Speaking at Monday’s meeting of the National Assembly during discussions on the appropriation bill for fiscal year 2025/26 (excluding tax proposals), Shrestha stressed the need for transformative change rather than cosmetic fixes.
“To rescue the country from crisis and disorder, we must move ahead with structural reforms,” said Shrestha. “We need to change the form of governance to end political instability and adopt a fully proportional electoral system to curb the expensive and corrupt nature of our current elections. Ministers should be appointed from outside the parliament, and lawmakers must focus solely on legislation.”
Shrestha also underscored the urgent need for strong action in the area of good governance. Criticizing the weakening rule of law, he said, “The tendency to shield the corrupt must end now.”
Calling for a major review and overhaul of the state’s institutional structure, Shrestha said political interference must be eliminated from universities, courts, and constitutional bodies to ensure accountability and impartiality.
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