If the current budget is populist one, lacking an economic basis, it could tag along a multitude of problems. A strong economic base takes time to create. During that time also we need to create jobs, especially through investments in infrastructure.

Monetary rules must be followed. Whether the new government likes it or not, the IMF plays a significant role in ensuring macro economic stability. If not, we risk losing foreign aid and investments and our exclusion from the PRSP and PRGF categories. The new government can benefit from Nepal's post-conflict status, but the problem lies not in the lack of aid but disbursement. Loan utilisation in Nepal falls just under 50 per cent, we can't even use half the money allocated. Even when you add grants, we use only 67 per cent.

So how are we supposed to realise the Maoist's goal of 10-11 per cent economic growth? The largest component of economic development for a country is its assets but obtaining them only from our own domestic sector wouldn't be enough. There will always be a need for foreign aid. But there are necessary criterias for taking it: a guarantee over the ownership of assets should be included in the budget itself, the process of acquisition must be made simple and clear, and the government's reputation as an eleventh-hour decision maker must be changed for good.