National assembly MPs call for fair budget allocation to provinces and local levels
Kathmandu: In a meeting of the National Assembly, MPs have drawn the government’s attention to the issue of inadequate budget allocation to provinces and local governments by the federal government.
Expressing their views during today’s session of the National Assembly, Congress MP Narayan Dutta Bhatta said that the budget allocation was not fair and not appropriately distributed to local levels.
MP Dutta stressed that a fair budget should be distributed based on need and in accordance with the principle of natural justice, urging the government to pay due attention during budget allocation.
Nepal Communist Party MP Madan Kumari Shah said that the government has not given adequate priority to the Far West, Karnali and Madhes regions and has also cut administrative expenses.
He stated that due to weak implementation of federalism-related laws, there are difficulties in managing provincial resources.
CPN (UML) MP Prem Prasad Dangal said that although the common list of rights between federal, provincial and local levels has been defined, the transfer of powers has not been effective, delaying development work. He also raised concerns over employee management, stating that staff sent to provinces and local levels do not stay long.
Janata Samajwadi Party Nepal MP Mohammad Khalid said that federalism implementation has not received adequate attention and that provincial and local levels have not been given full governance authority. He expressed concern that these levels are still required to demand more rights from the federal government during budget allocation.
Nepali Congress MP Bishnu Kumari Sapkota said that the Lumbini provincial government has transferred rights to local levels in four ways and urged the central government to address budget cuts affecting local levels.
Nepal Communist Party MP Suresh Kumar Ale Magar said that the absence of necessary laws in Gandaki Province has created difficulties in functioning, along with problems caused by staff shortages.
CPN (UML) MP Samjhana Devkota said that although federalism is meant to decentralize power, it has not been effectively implemented. She also noted that statistics show provinces and local levels spend less than the federal government.
Nepali Congress MP Dharmendra Paswan said that the human rights situation in Madhes Province is weak despite it being a key contributor in terms of food production, taxation and voting, and also highlighted its low human development index along with weaknesses in education and health.
Nepal Communist Party MP Ghanashyam Rijal drew attention to the slow progress of important highways being constructed in Bagmati Province and urged priority for reconstruction works. He also called for timely construction of bridges with consideration for public safety during the rainy season.
CPN (UML) MP Somnath Portel urged the government to find an immediate solution, stating that Jhapa has appointed the Prime Minister and that tea industries in the key tea-producing district are currently closed.