Govt policy lacks vision & public-centric direction: Padma Aryal
Aryal said the public had placed extraordinary hope in the current administration, but the document presented by the government did not inspire confidence.
KATHMANDU: Padma Kumari Aryal, deputy leader of the parliamentary party of CPN-UML, has criticized the government’s newly unveiled policy and programme, saying it has failed to address public expectations and lacks a clear national vision.
Speaking during Thursday’s discussion in the House of Representatives on the government’s policy and programme for the upcoming fiscal year, Aryal said the public had placed extraordinary hope in the current administration, but the document presented by the government did not inspire confidence.
She argued that the policy lacks clarity, implementation grounds, and bold commitments capable of transforming people’s lives.
According to her, the document contains “words without vision, declarations without direction, and slogans without a foundation for implementation.”
Aryal also questioned the government’s claim of promoting innovative governance, stating that the document itself neither reflects originality nor offers clear strategic direction. She further said the distinction between policy and programme had not been clearly defined.
The UML leader expressed dissatisfaction over the removal of the national aspiration slogan “Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali” from the policy framework. She argued that socialism cannot be achieved unless citizens are genuinely happy, regardless of economic progress.
Accusing the government of disregarding successful initiatives from previous administrations, Aryal stressed that effective programmes and positive practices should be continued rather than rejected for political reasons.
She also pointed out that although the Constitution envisions a socialism-oriented economy, the term “socialism” itself was absent from the policy document.
According to her, the programme does not align with the spirit of constitutional rights and the broader vision of a socialist-oriented economic system.
Criticizing the government for sidelining the three-pillar economic policy, Aryal also described the target of achieving 7 percent economic growth as unrealistic.
She urged the government to prioritize key sectors including agriculture, tourism, medicinal herbs, energy, and industrialization to drive sustainable national development.
