Kathmandu. Independent lawmaker Mahabir Pun has urged the government to allocate one percent of the capital expenditure for research and development. Pun urged the government in today’s meeting of the House of Representatives.

During the discussion on the government’s annual policy and programme for the upcoming fiscal year 2083/84, he said the formation of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation was a welcome move.

“Now the budget should be allocated as per the need and a proposal should be brought to allocate one percent of the capital expenditure,” he said. Stating that the developed countries spend up to five percent of their GDP budget in research and development, he said that it was not possible to make a stride in scientific research by allocating minimum budget.

Lawmaker Pun also drew the attention of the government to increase the quality of education in community schools by increasing quota for teachers.