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Bhoj Raj Ghimire: The biggest challenge is maintaining financial stability. The second challenge is to increase investment and to use it to benefit the poor. We also need to create opportunities for employment and income generation.
How are the government's financial plans progressing?
We are nearing the end of the financial year so it's not possible to make big changes. We are now working on cutting unproductive expenses and investing the savings in future development activities. The coming year's budget is being prepared. The white paper addressing the country's economic problems and the government's future economic programs has already been issued. Priority will be given to rural areas and making various services more accessible to the people. The government will focus on meeting the people's needs and promoting their participation in development activities such as building roads. These activities will not only increase facilities but also help people earn an income.
Previous governments also talked of pro-poor budgets but failed to raise living standards.
Most reforms since 1990 have focused on changing the economy's structure by increasing private investment and adopting an open market policy. However, the expectation that commerce and trade in urban areas would spread to rural regions did not happen. Only the urban areas developed, excluding a large chunk of the country from the economy. Fifteen districts still don't have access to roads and many lack basic minimum infrastructure. If roads and electricity are prioritised, there is no doubt this will have multiplier effects and boost the income of the poor. Past programs might have been called pro-poor but they were not distributed accordingly.
Tax revenue is not meeting targets. How are talks progressing with donors about replacing that lost revenue?
We have got positive signs from our foreign friends who have accepted the political change. They said that they are ready to help and that the government should produce a package of proposals. Denmark has already announced an aid package of Rs 200 million. We have also spoken to the World Bank, the ADB and bilateral donors.
Will the Maoists also be considered in the coming budget?
After decisions have been taken at the political level, we will have no problem with that.
