NA passes proposal to consider Appropriation Bill

KATHMANDU, JUNE 17: A meeting of the National Assembly (NA) today accepted a proposal to seek consideration on the ‘Appropriation Bill-2079 BS’ received from the House of Representatives with a message. The proposal tabled by Finance Minister Janardan Sharma in the third session of the upper house amidst the obstructions from the major opposition CPN (UML) was passed by the majority.

Similarly, NA member Ganesh Prasad Timlsina proposed the session to dedicate time for headings-wise discussions on the Appropriation Bill for three days beginning on June 20 while the schedule for replies of respective ministers has been proposed for June 23-24. Meantime, UML chief whip in the NA, Khimlal Bhattarai said the party is concerned about ‘dubious’ activities during the formulation of the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

“Budget formulation process is a highly sensitive issue and only authorized people are allowed to its preparations venue,” he said, demanding the constitution of a parliamentary committee to investigate an alleged role of unauthorized people in the budget preparations. As he said, the party will not entertain the presentation of the Bill and further development in regard to the document in the upper house until the probe committee is formed. The NA shall meet again at 1:00 am on June 19.