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National Assembly members have demanded the government to increase the budget in the education sector and modernization of agriculture.

Taking part in the discussion on different headings of various ministries under the Appropriation Bill, 2081 in the meeting, Padam Bahadur Pariyar mentioned that the 16th periodic plan has set a target of keeping budget of education sector above 10 percent, so the budget of education sector should not be reduced.

He shared that the budget was not allocated in the education sector as per the need of the hour.  "The government has allocated 10.95 percent of the total budget in the education sector. It is 11.27 percent in the fiscal year. But it is reduced for the coming fiscal year. The budget of education should not be decreased", he stressed.

Pariyar, however, expressed happiness for bringing different programs for differently abled teachers and students.

Likewise, Ananda Prasad Dhungana underlined that poverty alleviation was not possible until the modernization and commercialization of agriculture.

"Agriculture is the backbone of the country's development. But the problems of farmers are still not sorted out. The budget allocated for the agro sector could not resolve the problems", he explained. 

Stating that the budget of the agro sector for the coming fiscal year has been reduced by Rs 1 billion, Dhungana questioned whether the modernization of agriculture is possible by reducing the budget.

He urged the government to provide a sufficient amount of fertilizer, seed and irrigation facilities to farmers on time.

National prosperity possible through Agriculture Decade

Similarly, lawmakers, taking part in the deliberations on appropriation headings related to various ministries under the Appropriation Bill, 2081 in the meeting, said that prosperity is possible through implementation of the Agriculture Decade incorporated in the budget statement for the upcoming fiscal year.

They expressed the view that the national economy could be boosted up with the development and restructuring of the agriculture sector and through its mechanization, modernization and commercialization.

Lawmakers Bamdev Gautam, Jhakku Prasad Subedi, Bhagawati Neupane, Mohammad Khalid and Gopi Bahadur Sarki Achhami took part in the deliberations.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has pointed out the need of building the capacity of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and diplomatic missions of Nepal abroad for the welfare of Nepalis overseas.

Prime Minister Dahal said so in the discussion regarding the presentation of the Organization and Management Survey of the Foreign Ministry and subordinate bodies held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM), Singha Durbar, today.  

Saying that he has given top priority to welfare and rights of Nepalis working and living abroad, he mentioned that organizational and structural capacity building was the main agenda for the same, according to the OPMCM.

The Prime Minister explained, "Number of people going abroad is growing. But, our Foreign Ministry, as well as offices and missions under it are not capacitated as per the time. These institutions are running under very old quotas. Let's make it timely and make organization and human resources management strong as well as carry out activities keeping the welfare and rights of Nepalis living abroad in mind. Make technical preparation at secretary-level for the same and we will reach a conclusion soon."

Similarly, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha laid emphasis on the need of strengthening Foreign Ministry and its subordinate bodies.

Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun, Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration Bhanu Bhakta Joshi, Acting Chief Secretary Leela Devi Gadtaula, Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal, Finance Secretary Madhu Kumar Marasini, as well as officials of OPMCM and Foreign Ministry were present on the occasion.

Nepali Congress General Secretary Bishwa Prakash Sharma said that the to be formed Nepali Congress-CPN-UML government will open the files of corruption without any prejudice.

Speaking to journalists after the party meeting on Wednesday, Sharma said that the to be formed new government will open the pending files of corruption without any prejudice and partiality.

Responding to the comment of Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane that the government was changed just because of opening the files of corruption cases, he suggested the Home Minister to open files of corruption cases, saying the current government is still in place.

He claimed that the country would head towards the path of stability and prosperity due to the seven-point agreement signed with the CPN-UML.

Dismissing the reports that preparations are being made to reinstate the Constitution of 1990, leader Sharma made it clear that the Constitution will be amended for progressive changes.

Saying that a two-thirds majority is needed to amend the Constitution, he said that discussions are currently going on with all the parties to secure the same.

CPN-UML Chairman and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that the big political parties have to ease the situation for the nation through dialogue and common efforts when the nation is in difficulty.

"We are of the belief that democracy should be based on healthy competition. We together drafted the Constitution and should move ahead together. The required outlet can be provided to the nation by moving forward hand-in-hand,"  he said during an interview with RSS.

Asked about his thoughts on big parties including the Nepali Congress and the UML together leading the country for resolving the specific problems facing the nation, he recalled that the UML itself had proposed to the Congress for working together at the time of the Constitution promulgation, making it clear that they have never lagged behind when the Congress has come forward for dialogue.

Stating that the UML does not steps back from the journey of dialogue and consensus on national issues, but rather takes the lead, the former PM stated, "In such situations, the UML had taken the lead and paved the way in a democratic manner in the past as well and it will not backtrack from it even now if required."

He said it should not be forgotten that after the devastating earthquake (in 2015) the UML had played a constructive role with the commitment to work together with the CPN (Maoist Center) on reconstruction and constitution making, although it was the opposition party at that time.

"We have a history of working for the country and the people also in the past. All should come together when necessary. The UML, Congress and Maoist Centre alone had worked together for the nation in the past," Chairman Oli said, answering the question why not the three largest parties – the Nepali Congress, the UML and the Maoist Centre- which are the agents of political change in Nepal, together form a coalition government for the purpose of giving political stability to the country in the context of the citizens yearning for the same at present.

The UML Chair and former Prime Minister said, "The UML is a party that works in deference to the people's aspirations and the nation's needs. Collaboration is needed among the agents of change for the country's political stability. The UML is taking the lead for this."

Saying the Constitution is the means of happiness and prosperity of the nation and people, Chair Oli mentioned, "Dialogue is the best tool to remove misunderstanding taking place among us. Dialogue can lead to consensus. Dialogue is again necessary. It is not necessary that there should be agreement on everything, but there must be consensus at least on basic things.  We brought a multi-party system of healthy competition of ruling and the opposition. Consensus should be accepted without refusing this system. "

Responding to a query, he explained that they have no excuse not to provide any achievement to the people while remaining in the government.

"To be in power is to develop the country and provide facilities to the people. There is no meaning to remain in the government if people's problems are not addressed. There is no meaning of any government if it fails to address the people's problems," he underlined.

Chair Oli explained that the UML proposed the Nepali Congress to join hands at a time when it is necessary to develop the system as envisaged by the Constitution and to formulate laws, adding the NC should be serious on it.

"We should stand together and we are one of the basic principles of democracy. We brought this system after a long struggle and on our own choosing. It should be made strong. The Constitution should be amended if problems surfaced in the course of its implementation. We should hold dialogue and forge consensus for its successful implementation keeping the people at the center," he stressed. RSS