Most broadsheet dailies (both in Nepali and English) published in Kathmandu on Monday, May 23, 2016 have given prominence to reports on the government’s preparations to present its budget for the new fiscal, which is to begin in a month. According to constitutional provisions, the government now has just five days to table the budget in Parliament.

Important

Foreign aid’s contribution to budget likely to soar by over 30 per cent

The Himalayan Times, in its lead story for the day, says foreign aid’s contribution to the national budget is for the first time likely to cross the 30 per cent mark. According to the report, Nepal’s reliance on foreign grants and soft loans dropped to around 18 per cent during the 2012-13 fiscal when compared to the previous year, when it was 26 per cent. That share went up to around 22 per cent in 2013-14, and had fallen to around 20 per cent in 2014-15.

Govt preparing budget replete with populist slogans

Nagarik in its four-column story says the ruling party is trying to swing votes in its favour by presenting a populist budget replete with electoral slogans, just ahead of the local elections. The report claims that Prime Minister KP Oli has instructed Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel to prepare a budget that can win the party the upcoming election. In view of the election, the government is giving its employees a raise, introducing a pension scheme for farmers, and starting schemes such as ‘One Household One Job’. The government is also likely to double the amount it gives to MPs under the constituency development programme.

Indian Minister wants better ties with Nepal

Naya Patrika, in its main package for the day quotes India’s Union Energy Minister to say that India wants better ties with Nepal. According to the paper, the Minister, in an interaction with visiting Nepali journalists, in New Delhi on Sunday, Goyal reiterated that India was Nepal’s elder brother, and not its big brother.

Nagarik, in its second lead story says Minister Goyal told reporters that India is Nepal’s special friend and Nepal is that of India. According to the report, the minister said India wants Indo-Nepal ties to be based on equality. Goyal, according to the report, also said India was not worried about the ‘growing influence of China’ in Nepal.

Ignored

Juvenile delinquents found involved in rape cases

Nagarik in its anchor for the day, says 64 per cent of juvenile delinquents in Nepal have been charged with rape in recent times. The report says that juvenile delinquents do not have access to proper counseling, and they involve in crime out of curiosity.

Interesting

NEPSE breaks two records in one day

Karobar in its anchor, says Nepal’s only stock market NEPSE’s index registered an all time high of 1509 on Monday. According to the report, transactions worth over Rs 1.24 billion were registered in the market–this is the biggest-ever figure in history. The report says that although excess liquidity in the market has been dealt with, bank interest rates remain low. This has attracted investors to the stock market.

Automated weather centres in airports soon

Nepal Samacharpatra in its four-column anchor says the government is planning to establish automated weather stations at all airports within the next two years. According to the report, the World Bank is going to provide Rs 250 million for the project.