Ganesh Thagunna Criticizes Budget for Neglecting Remote and Border Districts

Kathmandu. CPN (UML) Member of Parliament Ganesh Thagunna has stated that the budget presented by the government for the upcoming fiscal year has failed to give the expected priority to remote hilly and mountainous districts.

Participating in the budget discussion in the House of Representatives on Thursday, Thagunna commented that although the beginning of the budget speech mentions the goal of achieving proportional development of the country alongside community and economic growth, its reflection is not seen in practice.

He said, "I have some comments on the budget speech presented by the Honorable Finance Minister in the House on Jestha 14. Right at the beginning of the budget speech, it envisions bringing community and economic growth while ensuring proportional development of the country. 

This is indeed welcome. However, for a long time, the country's budgeting pattern has been centered around limited areas. In particular, remote hilly and mountainous districts that need development have been deprived of the budget. Looking at the current budget trends, it seems that this continuity is being maintained."

He accused this year's budget of continuing the tradition where the budget remains centered around limited areas, leaving remote hilly and mountainous districts, which actually need development, deprived of funds.

Thagunna specifically raised questions regarding the status of the budget allocated for the hilly districts of Sudurpashchim Province, namely Darchula, Baitadi, Bajhang, Bajura, Achham, and Doti. He stated that the actual amount allocated to these districts raises questions about the government's commitment to proportional development.

He said, "How much budget has fallen into the share of Sudurpashchim's hilly districts like Darchula, Baitadi, Bajhang, Bajura, Achham, and Doti? Looking at this, even this budget does not seem to be heading in that direction. 

There was a huge discussion regarding the budget for border areas, and the Finance Minister also claimed to have given it special priority. But allocating just 130 million rupees for an 87-kilometer road in a hard-rock border area—what kind of special plan is this?"

Thagunna claimed that despite extensive discussions in the budget regarding the development of border areas, adequate funds have not been allocated accordingly.

He pointed out that although the Finance Minister claimed to have placed special priority on border areas, only 130 million rupees was allocated for constructing 87 kilometers of road in a hard-rock terrain. 

He questioned, "What kind of special plan is this?" He maintained that the budget was not brought keeping in mind the needs and developmental challenges of remote and border districts.