Kathmandu, June 17
Former Minister for Finance, Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat has stressed that the budget for the next fiscal year should be brought on national consensus.
At a programme organized by the Society of Economic Journalists of Nepal (SEJON) here today, Mahat said that national consensus was indispensable to bring a complete budget.
Mentioning that he was confident that national consensus government will be formed till the time of presenting budget, he argued that this caretaker government could not bring the budget by including new programmes.
The Nepali Congress and CPN-UML are always positive to approve essential bills including on money laundering, Mahat expressed the view that these bills could not be approved from the then Legislature- Parliament due to some leaders of the UCPN-Maoist.
Objecting to the preparations of the government to bring bills including on money laundering through ordinances, he said that works could be carried out as per the need of the nation by forging consensus among political parties.
Also the NC central member, Mahat said that it was natural to say the country would be black-listed if money laundering bill was not approved, but added that it was not logical to make hue and cry even if it was not passed.
Presenting examples of Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and other countries of the world on anti-money laundering laws, Dr. Mahat said this will obstruct opening bank accounts in foreign countries. Nepal has obligation to fulfill international commitments, he said.
In another context, Dr Mahat said the project capacity should not be increased by depleting the state treasury while disagreeing the Energy Ministry decision to increase the capacity of Upper Trishuli to 90 mw from 60 mw. This will increase expenditure of three billion, and cannot be generated more than 60 mw in winter.
SEJON Chairman Pradip Chapagain, Ex-Chairman Bijaya Ghimire and Independent News Managing Director Hridayaraj Gautam, said the economy was in the slump for giving priority to political issues.
(RSS)
