KATHMANDU

Former finance minister Bishnu Paudel has claimed that the country is facing an economic downturn. Paudel has been participating in the discussion on the Appropriation Bill 2024 since Thursday, focusing on the analysis and priority of the fiscal year 2081 (excluding taxes).

Stating that the country’s budget has been in deficit, and with two consecutive fiscal years going into deficit, Paudel has claimed that the country is currently in an economic downturn.

However, even though the country is facing an economic downturn, the former finance minister has also accused the former finance minister of presenting incorrect data to mislead the actual state of the economy.

Similarly, former finance minister Paudel has also accused current Finance Minister Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat of neglecting the necessity to reduce the budget, failing to pay farmers’ $6 billion dues, and not paying the remaining amount to construction entrepreneurs. He has also mentioned the need to now focus on improving the country’s economy, which is currently in recession.