Vice-chairman of the National Planning Commission Dipendra Chhetri on Thursday revealed that the government is planning to announce full budget of Rs 439 billion. He further said that the government is committed to bring full budget despite criticism of the opposition political parties.

Speaking at an interaction organised by the Reporters Club in the capital today, Vice-chairman Chhetri said, "The government is preparing to bring the full budget of Rs 439 billion which includes Rs 10 billion for election expenses."  He added that the aforesaid budget, which will focus on providing relief to the people, is just an estimate and it could further increase.

He said the budget amount has grown because of the Rs 10 billion earmarked for election expenses and Rs 3 billion set aside for the ex-Maoist combatants opting for rehabilitation package.

Stressing on the need to bring full-fledged budget at any cost, Chhetri said that failing to do so can have negative impact on development programs. Talking about some of the people's oriented and relief programs in the budget, he said the government has envisaged at least 100 days of employment for the unemployed people and establish stores to provide food provision and essential commodities to poor people as well as those afflicted by inflation at subsidized rates.

Also speaking on the occasion, former governor Himalayan Shumsher Rana emphasized the need to bring full budget and urged all the stakeholders not to drag the President into controversy over the issue of budget. nepalnews.com