MPs Urge Government Not to Tarnish Their Image Through Constituency Development Fund Allocation

Lawmakers have urged the government not to tarnish the image of parliamentarians by distributing budgets in the name of the Constituency Development Fund (MP Fund). During the special hour of Monday's meeting of the House of Representatives, MP Rajendra Kumar KC expressed dissatisfaction over media reports suggesting that the government is preparing to allocate around Rs. 34 billion under the MP Fund heading.

He called on the Finance Minister to involve MPs in identifying development projects in their respective constituencies, rather than assigning them funds under a controversial mechanism that undermines their credibility.

Highlighting the current revenue shortfall, MP KC reminded the House that despite a revenue target of Rs. 1.4 trillion for the current fiscal year, only Rs. 900 billion has been collected so far. In light of this, he urged the government to avoid presenting a populist budget. He also warned against bureaucratic dominance in the budget-making process, stating that the environment for such influence should not be allowed to prevail.

Similarly, MP Surya Prasad Dhakal emphasized the need for a budget that creates employment within the country and reduces the compulsion of Nepali youth to go abroad. Stressing Nepal’s identity as an agriculture-based nation, he demanded a budget that promotes self-sufficiency in agriculture.

MP Ramkrishna Yadav stated that the government should align its actions with public expectations. He called for efforts to enhance the capacity and credibility of parliament and lawmakers, and demanded a budget that actively discourages middlemen in the agricultural sector.

MP Yadav also urged the government to allocate a separate budget title for alternative highways, ensuring that such infrastructure projects are not neglected. He further suggested that infrastructure works should be expedited by allowing night-time operations to complete them faster.

Collectively, these statements reflect a growing consensus among lawmakers that the upcoming budget must be transparent, realistic, inclusive, and aimed at long-term national development, rather than short-term political gain.