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Lawmakers aired mixed opinions  over the budget for the fiscal year 2023/24. Speaking at the meeting of the National Assembly on Wednesday, members representing the ruling parties welcomed the government estimates for income and expenditures for the next year while the opposition criticized it. Jag Prasad Sharma said the budget was realistic and the priorities to increase capital expenditures were a positive aspect of it. Objective assessment of the problems, priorities to control revenue leakage, promote export timber production, promote trade and further strengthen the relations with two close neighbors were the positive aspects of the budget that adopted a policy to control general expenditures and this approach was noteworthy. He commended the deadline to spend the budget, announcements to improve the financial system and laws and regulations and to scrap 20 government entities and the assurance for its implementation. "The budget has attempted to create five bases for economic revolution and prosperity and it is realistic," he said, adding that however the announcement to revive the 'Parliament development fund' was wrong. "It has devalued the MP's post, treating the lawmaker as a ward chair." He drew the attention of the finance minister towards lack of sufficient budget allocations to health and education sectors. Uday Bahadur Bohara said the budget presented a clear picture about the issues in the nation and its implementation should be for resolving them. Shekhar Kumar Singh applauded the government for incorporating timely relevant issues in the budget. "Though some human errors are noticed and they could be corrected," he said, focusing on the effective implementation of the budget. Ramesh Jung Rayamajhi expressed his concern over the comment that the budget was like a good essay and argued that it accorded priority to the economic development of the nation. "To protest for the sake of protest is absolutely wrong." Indu Kadariya said the budget was not centered on finding solutions to the existing problems, adding that "budget without source will not serve the goals and meet the people's aspirations." Dr Bimala Rai Paudyal said the economic situation in the current fiscal year suggested that the country was likely to face an economic crisis, but the new budget failed to assess it and catch up the pace for minimizing such risk. "The budget has failed to set a destination, present substantive plans for addressing potential risks for economic crisis. Its size is big and is beyond the reality," said Ramchandra Rai. Prakash Panth echoed the need of discouraging public expenditures, encouraging capital expenditures, preventing corruption and paying special attention to the promotion of good governance. "The budget implementation should be effective."  As he said, the government has failed to focus on the implementation of federalism through the budget. Mohammed Khalid was of the view that the budget failed to address the issues of inclusion and proportional system justifiably. He was against the announcement to scrap the Dairy Development Board.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said he held serious discussion with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi regarding the map kept in India's Parliament. Responding to queries raised by lawmakers in today's meeting of the National Assembly, Prime Minister Dahal said, "While talking about the map during my India visit, the Indian side said it was a cultural map, not the political one. Further study should be carried out in this regard." PM Dahal said that he clearly urged India to create an environment for using different areas including Nepalgunj, Mahendranagar, Biratnagar as international air routes. "An environment to operate low altitude flight has been created. Discussion was held regarding resolving border problems between Kalapani and Lipulek.  Indian Prime Minister Modi in joint press meet expressed commitment to resolve border problems between Nepal and India," recalled PM Dahal. Saying that he did not formally discuss exchanging land in any meeting, he said he only talked about the different types of models. The government itself carries out a study on resolving border problems, he said, "Border issues will be resolved. We will do it. Offering commitment to this effect before the world is important itself. The Prime Minister of India has also for the first time expressed his commitment to resolve it." The government has put forward the policies in accordance with the policy of increasing the consumption of electricity within home, he said, adding however there is no alternative to exporting electricity as domestic power consumption cannot be increased for the time being. Maintaining that during the visit to India, discussions took place on the issue of moving ahead by creating an environment of trust and resolving the border issue, the PM said, "An environment has been created for Nepal to become prosperous. An environment conducive has been created for investment in Nepal. This is the time that we have to exhibit a strong national unity." On the Citizenship Bill, PM Dahal said that the President was requested to issue the bill that was endorsed by the federal parliament twice. As the Prime Minister said, the issue about the Citizenship Act has already entered the court and the judiciary is independent to decide about the matter. The Prime Minister informed the House that during the visit, an agreement was reached with India to develop the Phukot Karnali Hydro Electricity Project in partnership with NHPC, the government entity of India. He added that the both sides observed a 'significant' agreement regarding the agriculture and it was highly expected to contribute to enhancing agricultural production in Nepal and the job opportunities simultaneously. He said that his delegation to the India visit had around 40 members and it was not 'jumbo' as claimed, adding that he did his best and used his conscience to make the visit highly productive for the country. "It does not matter whoever was there to welcome the Nepali delegation during the visit, but the agenda of the visit and its results matter," he said, making it clear that he felt respected and proud over the visit. The visit is likely to open up avenues for Nepal's development and prosperity, according to him. Anita Devkota, Bhagawati Neupane, Indira Devi Gautam, Jitendra Narayan Dev, Sharada Devi Bhatta, Bhairab Sundar Shrestha, Dr Bimala Rai Poudyal, Dil Kumari Rawal, Parbati Thapa, Gopal Bhattarai, Kumar Dasaudi, Sumitra BC, Jag Prasad Sharma, Tulasa Kumari Dahal and Indu Kadaria were among those questioning the Prime Minister about this recent India visit in the upper house today.  

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said his recent India visit was focused on economic development and prosperity. Speaking at a National Assembly meeting on Wednesday, Prime Minister Dahal said that his India visit became successful to build mutual trust between the two countries and put economic development in center. The visit was specially focused on power trade, agriculture, dry port and transit, he said, adding that his meeting with Indian counterpart Narendra Modi was significant. PM Dahal further said that discussion on the issue for the permission for additional air entry-route with India moved ahead in a significant and positive way during the visit. "An agreement has been reached for power trade with Bangladesh via Indian territory. Indian Prime Minister Modi has said India will import 10,000 MW electricity in next 10 years. It has created an environment to export power produced from different hydropower projects including Upper Tamakoshi", he said. The Prime Minister added that market of electricity produced from hydropower projects has been guaranteed and it has paved way for further investment in country's energy sector, as well as understanding has been made to complete detailed project report of Pancheshwor Project within three months and to determine implementation model within a year. He said that the prime ministers of both countries directed the concerned authorities to control flood and inundation at bordering areas. Discussion was held with the Indian side on issues like construction of motorable and suspension bridges at Jhulaghat, Purnagiri as well as other places, mentioned PM Dahal. Citing that significant talks were held between the two sides for agricultural productivity and this remained as another achievement of the visit, the Prime Minister said a positive atmosphere has been built for establishing a chemical fertilizer factory in Nepal. He said matters relating to trade facilitation, reduction of trade deficit between the two countries and the removal of additional tax on jute imports were discussed during the meeting. He briefed the House that Indian Prime Minister Modi in a joint press meet pledged to resolve Nepal-India border disputes. He went on to say that there was a bilateral agreement during the visit to accelerate the under construction trans-border railway project and to operate projects which are already completed. During the visit, Nepal and India observed the inauguration of the Integrated Customs Point in Nepalgunj which was established with economic and technical assistance from the government of India. Furthermore, the groundbreaking of the integrated customs points at Sunauli and the agreement to extend the Motihari-Amlekhgunj petroleum pipeline up to Lothar were the outcomes of the visit to the southern neighbor, according to the Prime Minister. Likewise, the groundbreaking ceremony of New Butwal Gorakhpur 400-KV transmission line took place during the visit. Moreover, the visit is marked by the signings and exchanges of other seven significant agreements.  "The Trade and Transport Treaty incorporates some provisions that hold long-term importance," he said. An agreement has been made for transporting block cargo and an environment has been built for using various waterways of India from this, the PM viewed. Stating that a climate for construction of a dry port at Dodhara Chandani has been made, he said discussions have also been held on promoting industrialization by facilitating the operation of the special economic zone to be constructed in the coming days. According to the Prime Minister, understanding has also been reached during the India visit to take forward the construction of Phukot Karnali Hydro Electricity Project by forming a joint consortium with Indian company as well as for the construction of the 679- Megawatt Lower Arun Hydro Power Project. Similarly, he informed the upper house of the Federal Parliament that an agreement has been reached between the two countries on an inter-country electronic payment system. Noting that the Indian industrialists and investors have been urged to invest in Nepal, PM Dahal said the interaction between the Nepali and Indian industrialists and businesspersons was significant in itself. He stated that the progress made by Indore city in Madhya Pradesh of India in waste management could be learning for Nepal as well. PM Dahal said during the visit he also extended an invitation to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Nepal. He reiterated that his four-day official visit to India has helped create a climate of confidence between the two countries and its results would be seen in the coming days. PM Dahal had visited India from May 31 to June 3.  

The Sudurpashim government is presenting its policies and programs for the fiscal year 2023/24 on Wednesday. Province Chief Devraj Joshi is scheduled to present the policies and programs in a session of the Province Assembly to take place after 4:00 pm today, according to Sudurpashim PA Secretariat. The province is to conclude the deliberations on the principles and priorities of the Appropriation Bill today before presenting the policies and programs.