Kathmandu: During a theoretical discussion on the budget at the House of Representatives on Thursday, Nepali Congress lawmaker Sandeep Rana delivered a sharp rebuke to Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle.
He argued that the new fiscal plan has completely abandoned the core tenets of BP Koirala’s socialism and fails to resonate with the struggles of the rural poor. Rana characterized the budget as an impractical document that remains fundamentally insensitive to the lived realities of people residing in the country’s remote corners.
The lawmaker pointed out the irony of the Finance Minister paying homage to democratic icons like BP Koirala and Subarna Shamsher during his speech while drafting a policy that ignores their foundational values. He reminded the House that BP Koirala always insisted that the blueprint for national development must centre on the poorest citizen living in a remote village hut—a vision he believes Dr Wagle has entirely discarded in favour of a different agenda.
Regarding the technical aspects of the fiscal plan, Rana questioned the budget’s massive size, noting it exceeds the ceiling set by the National Planning Commission by nearly Rs 200 billion. He dismissed the government’s targets of 7 percent economic growth and capping inflation at 6 percent as being far from reality. Furthermore, he alleged that the budget is skewed to benefit a specific elite class, failing to uphold the principles of social justice and inclusive development.
A major point of criticism was the perceived neglect of the agricultural sector, which contributes 24 percent to the GDP and provides 60 percent of the country’s employment. Rana emphasized that the budget ignores the lowest 20 percent of the population and the vast informal sector. According to him, small-scale farmers, unorganized labourers, youth, women, and marginalized communities find no meaningful support in the current fiscal roadmap.
In a critique of the government’s technological focus, Rana remarked that the budget prioritizes “Google over Geography,” neglecting the physical and economic hardships of rural districts like Palpa. He warned that the promises of promoting startups and creating local jobs for youth have remained mere rhetoric. Without a concrete plan to revitalize emptying villages, he argued that the trend of migration and rural decay will only accelerate under this administration.
The lawmaker lamented that the goal of becoming self-sufficient in agriculture has been sidelined as fertile lands continue to lie fallow across the country. He expressed scepticism that the budget could deliver the roads and infrastructure necessary for rural tourism or daily livelihoods. Even with the formation of a separate Ministry of Science and Technology, Rana voiced his dissatisfaction over the insufficient funding allocated for actual innovation and research.
Turning to the business climate, Rana stated that the private sector remains discouraged by the government’s high-handedness. He criticized the current administrative style of “detaining first and listening later,” which has created a sense of fear among investors. He questioned how the state could expect to generate mass employment when the very people who drive the economy are being intimidated by the government’s heavy-handed approach.
Finally, Rana attacked the tax structure for being inequitable and burdensome for the common man. Instead of placing higher taxes on luxury items, he noted that the government has increased the tax load on essential sectors such as education, healthcare, dairy production, and electricity. He urged the state to collect taxes in a way that does not oppress the general public, calling for a redistribution of resources that genuinely fosters development for all.
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