increasing salary instead of others

Minister Mahat said the government is likely to collect only 93 per cent of the revenue estimated for this fiscal year, due to the April 25 earthquake.He said the earthquake is likely to increase poverty in the nation. That, however, will be restricted to 25 per cent, he claimed.The government is facing a serious challenge to maintain economic growth rate above eight per cent to graduate the nation from the least developed countries into the developing countries by 2022, he added.Reconstruction in priorityThe new budget aims to promote people's trust in the government by prioritising relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation works in the aftermath of the devastating quake, he maintained.

"We will not let people of earthquake-hit region feel lack of budget," he said.The government will leave no stone unturned to revive tourism in the nation, the Minister added.He urged private sectors to cooperate with the government in the reconstruction campaign.The National Reconstruction Authority will be given a full shape soon, he said.The National Planning Commission has estimated that the reconstruction efforts need an amount of Rs 667 billionMahat, during his speech, said the reconstruction efforts will be completed in next five years.As many as 50,000 youth will be trained to carry out reconstruction works, he announced.

Likewise, government staff will also be trained for disaster management.During the reconstruction, heritage sites will be prioritised, the Minister pledged.The government will organise an Investment Conference in the next fiscal year to promote foreign investment in the nation, he added.The government has allocated Rs 74 billion to the National Reconstruction Fund, while line ministries and concerned authorities will be provided with Rs 17 billion for reconstruction works till the Reconstruction Authority comes into operation.

New constitution and peace process

Minister Mahat said the government has managed every resource needed to promulgate the new constitution. Likewise, the government has allocated budget for local elections, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission on Disappearance, he said.