Kathmandu, June 24 :
The meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) today centered around the passage of the Appropriation Bill, 2082, along with related financial bills, amidst a backdrop of political consensus, opposition protest, and ongoing controversy over the visit visa scam.
At the start of the session, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel tabled a proposal to pass the Appropriation Bill. The HoR also considered the Finance Bill, 2082 and the Debt Recovery Bill, 2082. Ministers responded to lawmakers’ concerns on budget allocations for various ministries and constitutional offices including the Home Ministry, Finance Ministry, Ministry of Labour, and Prime Minister’s Office.
Earlier in the day, a meeting of ruling coalition leaders was held at the residence of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in Baluwatar. Leaders from major parties including UML, Nepali Congress, Janamat Party, JSP, and LSP agreed to endorse the budget. Terai Madhesh Loktantrik Party leader Mahantha Thakur confirmed that coalition partners have agreed on provisions like the controversial “Take and Pay” clause and committed to pass the bill.
The HoR session began with brief protest by Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) lawmakers, who stood in objection to the government’s handling of the visit visa scam. The protest ended as Speaker Devraj Ghimire allowed Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak to address the House.
Minister Lekhak defended the formation of a high-level probe committee under former Chief Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi, which includes joint secretaries from six ministries. He clarified that the committee will examine systemic flaws in immigration, propose legal and structural reforms, and submit a report within three months. The minister assured that the probe will not interfere with the CIAA’s ongoing investigation into the scam.
However, RSP’s Dr. Swarnim Wagle and RPP’s Gyan Bahadur Shahi rejected the committee, calling it inadequate and politically motivated. They demanded a parliamentary committee under a justice, and RPP further called for an investigation into 14 former home ministers. Both parties subsequently boycotted the session.
Meanwhile, CPN (Maoist Centre) leader Barshaman Pun welcomed the probe committee, stating it addresses his party’s demands and should help reform the visa system. Nepali Congress Chief Whip Shyam Kumar Ghimire urged opposition parties to trust the committee, stressing parliamentary functioning over prolonged disruption.
On budget matters, Home Minister Lekhak revealed a total allocation of Rs 208.24 billion for the Ministry of Home Affairs in FY 2082/83. Of this, over Rs 192 billion is earmarked for recurrent expenses, mostly salaries and security allowances. He emphasized that budget allocations were made within the limit of available resources, prioritizing security and social protection.
As lawmakers continued discussions, several presented budget cut motions, while others stressed the urgency of tackling broader economic, governance, and migration issues. The House is expected to move forward with clause-wise approval of the Appropriation Bill after all ministerial responses are heard.
HoR Endorses Appropriation Bill Amid Budget Deliberations; IT Decade, Visa Reform and Economic Goals Highlighted
The House of Representatives (HoR) on Monday endorsed the Appropriation Bill, 2082 by majority vote, concluding an extensive debate over the government’s budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year 2082/83 (2025/26). The session also passed two significant financial legislations: the Finance Bill, 2082 and the National Debt Recovery Bill, 2082.
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel defended the budget as a realistic, policy-driven plan, aimed at stimulating economic revival without risking fiscal instability. He stated that Nepal’s economy, once stagnant, is showing signs of dynamism and that the 6% growth target is attainable through effective implementation. He highlighted a 17% increase in capital expenditure and reiterated commitments to tax base expansion, transparent subsidies for farmers, and tackling illicit gold trade through a new luxury tax on gold jewelry.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli backed the budget as balanced “to the extent possible,” urging MPs to recognize resource constraints while promising attention to demands in future allocations. He also emphasized private sector and foreign direct investment (FDI) through coordination with the Investment Board of Nepal.
Meanwhile, Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, outlined an ambitious vision, declaring the next decade as the ‘IT Decade’. He said the government aims to develop IT as an export industry, promote digital governance, and expand broadband access across local levels, schools, and health posts. He announced the upcoming establishment of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Center, with an AI policy nearing approval, and a broader push for digital transformation through the Nagarik App.
Gurung also noted the archiving of Gorkhapatra’s 92 years of content and over 55,000 audio records of Radio Nepal, along with disaster early-warning dissemination plans via radio and SMS. Public welfare advertising is being prioritized with Rs 280 million allocated, and the “One Local Level, One Smart Post Office” initiative will launch next fiscal year.
On labour issues, Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security, Sharat Singh Bhandari, addressed foreign employment fraud, stating around 36,000 complaints have been registered. He announced plans to institutionalize foreign employment to Europe and develop a National Labour Market Information System to reconnect migrant workers with Nepal.
Urban development was also a key topic. Minister Prakash Man Singh stated that Rs 91 billion has been allocated for urban development programs, including Rs 2.83 billion for integrated infrastructure in major tourist cities. He also emphasized policy reforms with the Urban Development Policy, 2081, and the upcoming Bagmati Civilization Bill.
The House also rejected various proposals by MPs seeking expenditure cuts under different ministries. The session concluded with Speaker Devraj Ghimire announcing the next HoR meeting for June 28.
The overall tone of the day reflected a strong government push to defend the fiscal plan while showcasing sectoral reforms in IT, labour, and urban development, with an eye on good governance, economic revival, and digital transformation.
