Budget discussion disrupted after Maoists boycott

KATHMANDU, Aug 4: Ministry-wise discussion of the budget has been affected after the main opposition UCPN (Maoist) boycotted the parliament meeting for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, venting its ire over the allocation of budget.

Though the parliament secretariat planned to start ministry-wise discussion on the budget from Wednesday, the schedule of discussion could not be made public after the House meeting had to be adjourned due to boycotting of the meeting by the main opposition. The discussion had already been delayed after the government failed to provide the details of ministry-wise budget allocations to the parliament for weeks.

Speaker Subhas Nembang adjourned the parliament meeting for Wednesday. With the opposition continumously disrupting the meeting, Speaker Nembang directed the government to hold talks with the opposition to reach an amicable solution.

Speaking at parliament meeting before their boycott, UCPN (Maoist) lawmaker Prabhu Sah accused the government of bringing budget unilaterally and not heeding the genuine demands of the opposition.

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"The budget only focuses on forthcoming general convention of a ruling party. It fails to address the issue of post quake reconstruction and rampant unemployment among other problems," said Sah. He said his party will not participate in the budget discussions until the government revises the budget.