Kathmandu, June 18: Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle said the sector-wise budget has been appropriated placing priority to Karnali, Madhesh and Sudurpaschim regions which have been lagging behind from social, economic and human development index.
Responding to queries in today’s meeting of the House of Representatives regarding heading-wise allocation of the Ministry of Finance under the Appropriation Bill, 2083, Finance Minister Dr. Wagle expressed confidence that the subsidies provided to farmers for fertilizers, seeds, irrigation, and the value chain would help uplift the targeted groups.
Sharing information that the nutrition allowance for Dalit children has been increased two-fold through the budget, Finance Minister Dr. Wagle clarified that the existing social security programme have not been reduced anymore.
“All previous programmes introduced in the name of poverty alleviation remain unchanged,” he said.
It has been accepted that poverty does not sustainably decline by merely distributing cash, the Finance Minster noted.
“The goal of the budget is not to keep people in a state of receiving aid, but to put them in a position to earn for livelihood,” Finance Minister Dr. Wagle said.
He further shared that the budget has adopted a strategy to modernize agriculture, manage irrigation, provide crop insurance, ensure worker safety, develop skills, promote industry, foster a digital economy, and create employment through private investment.
“The most effective way to reduce poverty is through stable income and employment. Without boosting the private sector’s morale, jobs would not be created,” he said, adding the budget therefore has focused to that end.
