Health concerns, infrastructure challenges, and education issues took center stage during the first budget consultations for the 2024/2025 fiscal year. Attendees voiced their worries regarding the condition of hospitals, inadequate medicinal supplies, and deteriorating infrastructure, particularly roads.
Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad reassured participants that the government is committed to improving the struggling healthcare system. He stated that a substantial budget has been allocated to the Health Ministry and highlighted ongoing partnerships with international bodies, including the Australian and Indian governments, aimed at enhancing hospital facilities.
Although attendance was lower than anticipated, Professor Prasad maintained that the primary objective of these consultations was to provide a platform for community submissions rather than simply drawing large crowds. He emphasized the importance of focused discussions and targeted outreach to various sectors, including finance, manufacturing, transport, media, and communications.
The government has also opened avenues for written submissions from the community, accepting feedback until the end of the month. This approach underscores a new avenue of engagement that aligns with previous budget efforts to ensure diverse community voices are heard.
In recent consultations, there has been a consistent emphasis on improving citizens’ quality of life through enhanced infrastructure, healthcare, and education funding. Previous discussions have also pointed to a proactive strategy that aims to build a resilient and equitable economy while tackling pressing social issues like poverty, drug abuse, and health challenges.
Overall, these budget consultations reflect a hopeful commitment to inclusivity in decision-making processes, empowering individuals and communities to take part in shaping policies that will directly impact their lives.
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