Pre-budget discussions in HoR to last around 18 hours

KATHMANDU: The House of Representatives has commenced discussions on the principles and priorities (excluding tax proposals) of the Appropriation Bill for the upcoming fiscal year 2082/83 (2025/26).

The deliberations, which began today, will span approximately 18 hours over several days, according to the schedule finalized by the Business Advisory Committee during a meeting chaired by Speaker Devraj Ghimire.

As per the schedule, discussions will be held for four hours today, five hours on Wednesday, four hours on Jestha 1, and five hours on Jestha 2.

Speaking time has been allocated based on party representation. The Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) have each been allotted five hours.

The CPN (Maoist Centre) has been given two hours, while the Rastriya Swatantra Party will have 82 minutes. The Rastriya Prajatantra Party has been granted 50 minutes, and the CPN (Unified Socialist) 40 minutes.

Similarly, the Janata Samajwadi Party has 28 minutes, Janamat Party 24 minutes, Loktantrik Samajwadi Party and Nagarik Unmukti Party 16 minutes each.

The Nepal Workers and Peasants Party, Rastriya Janamorcha, Aam Janata Party, and independent lawmakers will each get five minutes to speak.

The pre-budget discussion aims to guide the government in formulating the budget, ensuring it aligns with the needs and priorities of the country.