Kathmandu, Sept 15: Newly appointed Finance Minister Rameshwor Prasad Khanal has said that it would be possible to secure resources equivalent to Rs 100 billion if those projects approved under political pressure, those under formulation, and scattered ones were cut down.
During his address after assuming the office at the Ministry today, the newly appointed Minister said the number of projects and programmes will be filtered on a rational basis to ensure fund for conducting the election within the next six months.
He also constituted a three-member taskforce coordinated by the Chief of the Budget Division to proceed with the projects prioritization.
Stating that Singha Durbar suffered a significant loss during the recent Gen-Z demonstrations, Khanal said that the walls of damaged structures will be daubed first, as a gesture to suggest that ‘we rise from the destruction’. As he added, many public properties have not been insured. However, the losses for private vehicles will be borne by insurance.
“This is an interim government, so let’s not purchase new vehicles. Those that are totally dysfunctional could be sold off as junk,” he said.
“Youths sacrificed their lives for addressing major issues in the nation. If they wished, they could take the leadership and responsibility. But they demonstrated their trust in us, and we will deliver without leaving any stone unturned,” he vowed.
Khanal also urged employees to forget what they did in the past. “If any blunder occurred, it will be checked by the law. Let’s not abuse resources and not use public property for personal gains.”
Stating that the private sector should be taken into confidence for their significant contribution to the national revenue, he reminded the tax should not be imposed under pressure. “If we progress in the service system, revenue collection will automatically increase.”
Also the former Finance Secretary, Minister Khanal pledged to implement the recommendations of the High-Level Economic Reform Commission. As he stated, public expenditure management will be his priority.
On the occasion, Nepal Rastra Bank Governor Dr Bishwanath Paudel pledged maximum support and cooperation from the central bank in addressing the challenges ahead.
Banks and ATM booths were damaged during the demonstrations, but now is the time to restore public confidence,” he said, “What happened was unfortunate, but it’s time to move forward.”
