The legislature parliament passed the Appropriation Bill for the implementation of the budget for the year 2009/10 Tuesday evening.The Unified CPN (Maoist) cleared the way for easy passage of Bill by sending only two of its lawmakers to the budget sitting. The main opposition party did not take part in the discussion on the Bill.No voting took place on the Bill thanks to the decision of the Maoist party. The Maoist Parliamentary Board took the decision in a symbolic protest against the budget.
Minister Surendra Pandey had presented the Rs 285.93 billion budget four months ago.Voting on three other Bills necessary for the implementation of the budget will be presented in the House for endorsement on Wednesday.Meanwhile, Fearing the possibility of the budget failing in the event that required number of the lawmakers from the ruling parties failed to turn up, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal met Nepal Workers and Peasants Party (NWPP) chairman Narayanman Bijukchhe earlier today, requesting him to vote in favour of the budget. The NWPP has five lawmakers.The ruling parties had issued whips to their respective lawmakers to compulsorily attend the budget sitting.Meanwhile, speaking in the House, PM Nepal said the government was committed to drafting the new constitution and conducting the tasks under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. He also expressed commitment to implement the budget to archive the developmental and economic goals laid out in it and carry out relief programmes.He also said the government was serious about resolving the current political deadlock.Earlier, the ministers answered the questions regarding the budget allocations to their respective ministries.
nepalnews.com