Thebe questions govt policy, demands clear economic vision & 5M jobs target
Kshitij Thebe said the document does not reflect the “socialism-oriented economy” envisioned by Nepal’s constitution.
KATHMADU: A ruling party lawmaker has criticized the government’s annual policy and programme, arguing that it fails to provide a clear ideological, economic, and structural direction for the country.
Speaking in the House of Representatives during a general discussion on the policy and programme, Kshitij Thebe said the document does not reflect the “socialism-oriented economy” envisioned by Nepal’s constitution.
He questioned whether the state has embraced the core principles of a welfare state or is shifting toward a neoliberal economic model.
“The policy and programme has failed to provide a clear ideological, economic and structural direction for the country,” Thebe said. “Where is the reflection of the socialism-oriented economy envisioned by the Constitution? If not, is the government moving toward neoliberal economic policy? What is the revenue policy? What is the basis of a production-oriented economy? Where is the clear framework for job creation?”
He also argued that digitalisation and transformation rhetoric alone cannot reshape the economy, stressing that structural reforms are necessary for meaningful change.
Raising concerns over aviation infrastructure, Thebe noted that among Nepal’s three international airports, Tribhuvan International Airport is under heavy pressure while the other two are not being effectively utilised.
He suggested that to support the government’s declared Tourism Year 2085, one of the underutilised international airports should be developed into a tourism-friendly gateway with improved infrastructure and services.
Questioning policy coherence, he added that overlapping policy documents reduce clarity in governance and called for a unified, actionable framework within the main policy statement itself.
The lawmaker further proposed a national employment target, suggesting the creation of at least 5 million jobs over the next five years, along with subsidised credit schemes to promote entrepreneurship at the ward level.
