Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) lawmaker Agni Prasad Sapkota has underscored the need of carrying out thorough investigation to stamp out the growing corruption in the country.
Taking part in the discussions on the principles and priorities of the Appropriation Bill (except the tax proposal) for the fiscal year 2076/77 in the meeting of the House of Representatives Tuesday, he said, "Corruption is the obstacle to prosperity. We are talking of curbing it. But it is spreading day by day. Thorough investigation should be carried out why people are not afraid to commit corruption."
He welcomed the priorities and principles of the forthcoming budget saying these were the right guidelines. Sapkota urged the government to incorporate the suggestions given by the lawmakers on the budget principles by setting the capital mobilization and the expenditure management on the right track.
Bill should be brought in a way to protect fundamental rights: NC chief whip
Chief Whip of the main opposition party, Nepali Congress, Balkrishna Khand said since the Media Council Bill was brought with the intention of restricting the press freedom and the freedom of expression, it should be retracted.
"The bill should be brought in a way so as to protect the fundamental rights and not to restrict the human rights. The government should also pay special attention to guaranteeing the children's right to education and the rights of the older people," the NC chief whip demanded.
Stating that the presentation by the government of its policies and programs, and the principles, was itself not orderly, he called on the government to formulate the coming budget by reading the constitution so that it aids in the implementation of the fundamental rights.
CPN lawmaker Sujita Shakya urged for making the forthcoming budget women-friendly and for keeping in priority the task of making the national identity cards for the proper utilization of the funds allocated to social security and other welfare schemes.
She demanded that the policy of the government providing monetary support for medical treatment of serious types of diseases should be revised and arrangements made to provide the amount through insurance. Lawmaker Shakya said that the budget should pay attention to establishing herbs processing center for the maximum utilization of the medicinal herbs found in the country.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Dr Yuba Raj Khatiwada is scheduled to respond to the lawmakers' questions on the Appropriation Bill today itself. The House of Representatives meeting is on.
