Finance minister Adhikari says he is preparing for full budget, not supplementary budget

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Bharat Mohan Adhikari has said he is preparing to introduce a full budget and not the supplementary budget as touted in the media, in April. Answering to lawmakers' questions at a meeting of the Public Account Committee (PAC) Sunday morning finance minister Adhikari said, the government is preparing to announce a full-fledged budget next month in view of the transitional period post May 28.

The finance minister's announcement about the full-fledged budget comes at a time when reports about supplementary budget and resignation of finance secretary Rameshwore Khanal on the same issue is rife in the media. DPM Adhikari had gone to the PAC as the committee had asked him to clarify on Khanal's resignation. Adhikari denied putting any pressure to Khanal to resign.

"I did not give any pressure to Khanal to resign, " Adhikari said. "I had also encouraged him to take action against tax evaders." The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the legislature parliament on Wednesday had directed Adhikari to furnish clarification on the resignation of finance secretary Rameshwore Khanal. PAC meeting today has also directed the finance ministry to submit details of the tax evaders within four days.