KATHMANDU: During talks on the budgets of several ministries under the Appropriations Bill, 2081, members of the National Assembly stressed the need for modernizing agriculture and urged for an increase in budget allocation for the education sector. Padam Bahadur Pariyar emphasized that the goal of the 16th periodic plan is to keep the budget for the education sector above 10 percent. While 11.27 percent of the current fiscal year's budget was earmarked for education, he voiced worry that this amount will be reduced in the next fiscal year and emphasized that such reductions should be prevented in order to effectively satisfy educational demands.

Pariyar did acknowledge the government's initiatives for disabled teachers and students, which he viewed positively. Meanwhile, Ananda Prasad Dhungana underscored that poverty alleviation hinges on modernizing and commercializing agriculture, calling it the cornerstone of national development. He lamented that despite agriculture's pivotal role, farmers' challenges remain unresolved, pointing out a reduction of Rs 1 billion in the agro sector's budget for the coming year. Dhungana questioned whether agricultural modernization could progress with such budget cuts and urged timely provisions of fertilizers, seeds, and irrigation facilities for farmers.

Both speakers emphasized the critical role of adequate budgeting in achieving educational goals and agricultural advancement. Pariyar's call to maintain or increase the education sector's budget aligns with ensuring quality education and inclusivity, particularly for marginalized groups. Dhungana's concerns about agricultural budget reductions highlight the challenges faced by farmers and the necessity of robust support mechanisms to enhance productivity and livelihoods.