Parliament Schedules 18-Hour Pre-Budget Debate

The House of Representatives has begun discussions on the principles and priorities of the Appropriation Bill for the upcoming fiscal year 2025-26, excluding tax-related proposals. The deliberations, which started on Tuesday, will continue for a total of approximately 18 hours.

A meeting of the Business Advisory Committee held today under the chairmanship of Speaker Devraj Ghimire finalized the discussion schedule.

As per the plan, four hours have been set for discussion on Tuesday, five hours on Wednesday, another four hours on May 15, and five more hours on May 16.

Time has been given to parties based on their representation in the House. Nepali Congress and CPN-UML have each been given five hours. CPN (Maoist Centre) has two hours, while Rastriya Swatantra Party has 82 minutes. Rastriya Prajatantra Party has been given 50 minutes, CPN (Unified Socialist) 40 minutes, Janata Samajbadi Party 28 minutes, Janamat Party 24 minutes and Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal, Loktantrik Samajbadi Party Nepal, and Nagarik Unmukti Party have each been given 16 minutes.

Meanwhile, Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party, Rastriya Janamorcha, Aam Janata Party, and independent lawmakers have each been given five minutes for the discussion.