Budget session begins

KATHMANDU, JUL 01 - The budget session of Legislature-Parliament that commenced on Tuesday was adjourned without entering into business.

The Speaker read a letter from President Ram Baran Yadav summoning the budget session. On the recommendation of the Cabinet, President Yadav, as per Article 51(1) of the Interim Constitution, called the session on Friday.

Starting on Wednesday, there will be pre- budgetdiscussion. Lawmakers will participate in discussions related to the upcoming budget after Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat tables a proposal at 11:30am.

In discussions that are likely to continue for a week, lawmakers will suggest the government on the budget priorities. President Yadav will present the government’s programmes and policies for fiscal year 2015-16 as pre- budget discussions end.

The budget will be presented by mid-July, following the endorsement of the policies and programmes. The budget is likely to be as big as Rs840 billion and will focus on reconstruction of the property destroyed by the devastating earthquakes.