Budget passed for first time on the basis of majority

Jun 29, 2023

Kathmandu (Nepal), June 29 (ANI): The House of Representatives of Nepal for the first time in history has approved the annual budget for the upcoming fiscal year on a 'split-the-vote' or majority basis. The budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2023-24 has been endorsed by the Parliament through a division of votes as the opposition lawmakers insisted on ensuring a clear majority in favour of the budget. Initially, the Finance Minister of Nepal, Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat presented the budget proposal for endorsement. Following this, House Speaker Devraj Ghimire sought the opinions of lawmakers in a 'Yes or No' format, after which the majority expressed their support for the budget. Chief whip of opposition CPN-UML, Mahesh Kumar Bartaula had demanded a split vote claiming on the majority lies with those standing against the budget. However, in response to demands from CPN-UML lawmakers, a split vote was conducted to ensure a clear majority in favour of the budget. The voting ended up with the endorsement.