Nepalnews.com Mercantile Communications Pvt. Ltd.

Budget 2005-06 aims to restore peace, democracy: Finance Minister

Announcing the annual budget for the year 2005-06 Saturday, Finance Minister Madhukar SJB Rana said the main target of the annual budget is to restore peace and reactivate the democratic process.

Opening the budget speech, Finance Minister Rana said, “His Majesty the King has taken a historic step on Feb 1, 2005 in the interest of the nation and the people. I’m here to unveil the annual budget 2005-06 that aims to make meaningful His Majesty’s move and achieve stability and progress by restoring peace in the country.”

He said the government was in favour of unity among the democratic forces to tackle ‘terrorism’ and added that the government was working towards activating the multi-party democracy by restoring peace in the country. “As stated by His Majesty, the priority of the present government will be to restore peace in the country within three years, expedite effective reforms and reactivate the democracy,” the minister stated.

The Finance Minister further said the “spirit of Feb 1 royal move, the 21-point agenda of the government and the aim of the 10th national plan towards reducing poverty are the main foundations of the annual budget 2005-06”. To hold elections in order to establish the representative system is another major priority of the budget, he said.

The Finance Minister's budget speech was underway until 5:25 p.m. nepalnews.com July 16 05