Budget discussion delayed in Lumbini due to UML’s obstruction

LUMBINI: The Lumbini Province Assembly has been unable to hold discussions on the budget for the fiscal year 2023/24 due to obstruction from the main opposition CPN-UML.

The UML has been obstructing the budget discussions, claiming that the budget is against established policies and principles.

Minister for Economic Affairs Dhan Bahadur Maske tabled a budget of Rs 40.47 billion for 2023/24 on June 16. However, despite more than a fortnight since its tabling, the budget discussions have not yet commenced. This delay raises doubts about the timely implementation of the budget as the new fiscal year begins on July 16.

The provincial assembly meeting, scheduled for June 28 to hold discussions on the budget, was postponed due to the UML’s obstruction.

The party has been protesting since the budget speech. Among other issues, the UML opposes the allocation of Rs 2 billion without any expenditure heading for the Office of the Chief Minister, the scrapping of directorates, and the reduction of multi-year and carry-over projects.

Although a meeting was scheduled for Sunday to hold discussions on the budget, it has not yet begun as the UML is adamant about obstructing the house session.

UML Chief Whip in the provincial assembly, Tulsi Chaudhary, said the budget is biased and invites distortions. “We have drawn the attention of the provincial government to revise the budget to address the negative perception of federalism held by the public,” he added.

Chaudhary demanded that the provincial government withdraw its decisions to scrap directorates and centralize all rights within the ministry. “The provincial government should inform us why the budget for multi-year and continuing projects was reduced, and also clarify the purpose of the Rs 2 billion funds at the Office of the Chief Minister,” he added.

Minister for Internal Affairs Santosh Pandey, who is also the spokesperson for the provincial government, said it is natural for the opposition parties to oppose the budget. “But we have a majority in the provincial assembly. The budget will be passed,” he maintained.

Although the Chief Minister had assured to hold a discussion with the UML to resolve the differences, the meeting has not yet convened. “There has been no contact with us. The house won’t run smoothly unless a consensus is reached,” he added.

Not only the opposition, but some assembly members of the ruling parties have also voiced their dissatisfaction with the budget. Chief Whip of Nepali Congress Janmajaya Timilsina said some assembly members have expressed concerns over the exclusion of their programs in the budget. “We have already apprised Chief Minister Dilli Bahadur Chaudhary about their grievances,” he added.

Similarly, Chief Whip of CPN (Maoist Center) Indrajit Tharu said the party has advised the Chief Minister to address the grievances of the assembly members from the ruling parties. He claimed that the government has already held discussions with the opposition parties and reached a consensus on the budget.

Minister for Internal Affairs Santosh Pandey, who is also the spokesperson for the provincial government, said it is natural for the opposition parties to oppose the budget. “But we have a majority in the provincial assembly. The budget will be passed,” he maintained.

Chief Minister Chaudhary has allocated funds for an organization established by him. The Tharu Cultural Protection Center, based in Chakhaura of Dang, has received more than Rs 100 million over the past five years from the provincial government, two local units, as well as the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). The provincial government alone has allocated Rs 60 million to the organization over the past five years.

In the coming fiscal year, the provincial government has allocated Rs 8 million.