Lawmakers of the ruling and opposition parties have differed on the principles and priorities of budget during the pre -budget discussion at both the House of Representatives (HoR) and National Assembly. But they are unanimous on Constituency Infrastructure Development Program that allows lawmakers to spend budget on projects of their choice.
Finance Minister Yuba Raj Khatiwada wants to discontinue the program reasoning that big amount has to be allocated on petty projects when there is lack of investment for big infrastructure projects in the country.
But General Secretary of ruling CPN and former finance minister Bishnu Paudel demanded hike in the budget speaking in the HoR. Most of the lawmakers also want an increase in the amount.
Lawmakers have also opposed the move by Khatiwada to include local elected people's representatives in the program from the current fiscal year.
Ram Narayan Bidari of CPN became a rare lawmaker to support Khatiwada's stance on the program. Taking part in the pre-budget discussion in the National Assembly on Monday, he stressed that the roles of executive and legislature should be different.
"The bodies with executive authorities are partners in development. There would be no proper system unless we incorporate the principle that lawmakers have to formulate laws and put that into practice," Bidari stated.
Minister Khatiwada, who was also present in the National Assembly, was elated to hear Bidari speak.
Pointing that some of the lawmakers have been arguing to continue the program citing the example of India, Bidari added, "Should we follow whatever India does?"
He urged the lawmakers to tell their electorate that they have brought the budget instead of demanding money to please the voters in their respective constituencies. "The budget cannot be passed unless the lawmakers endorse it.
Honorable lawmakers can claim that they have brought the budget," he advised.
He demanded revocation of the program saying the lawmakers should be vigilant about the ministers and big leaders allocating all the budget in their respective constituencies, instead of demanding money themselves.
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