CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has said that the decisions made by the incumbent caretaker government aimed at bleeding the state coffers are unacceptable. He said that his party is firmly against the Sher Bahadur Deuba-led government’s populist decisions that would seriously affect the next government’s smooth functioning.

Inaugurating the 13^th General Assembly of Association of Community Radio Broadcasters Nepal (ACORAB) in Pokhara on Friday, the former prime minister claimed the current government’s decisions are against public mandate.

The government had on Wednesday decided to provide Rs 100,000 additional grant to flood and earthquake victims, additional amount to employees opting voluntary retirement and reduce the age cap for elderly allowance from 70 to 65.

KP Oli said that the decisions are directed at drying up the state funds.

“We will need additional 80-85 thousand employees once the federalism is fully implemented,” said Oli, questioning the government’s intention of letting go of the old and experienced employees and prompting the next government to hire new and inexperienced ones.

Oli, who is likely to lead the next government of Left Alliance, said that government decision to distribute additional Rs 100,000 to quake victims at a time when it has still not been able to dole out the first installment of the previously agreed Rs 300,000, and sending one thousand employees for foreign visit, is against the prosperity of the country.

“The foundation stone of democracy is public mandate and government should respect it,” said Oli.

CPN (Maoist Centre) leader Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Nepali Congress Spokesperson Bishwo Prakash Sharma, Rastriya Janata Dal General Secretary Manish Kumar Suman, among other leaders, had presented their views on the roles played by the community radio in raising public awareness in the country.

ACORAB President Subash Khatiwoda said that around 300 community radio stations from across the country will participate in the General Convention and devise the future roadmap.