A meeting of the ruling parties on Wednesday urged the government to introduce policies and programmes aimed at further strengthening the democratic republic, reviving the economy, and instilling hope in the younger generation.

Amid widening differences between Nepali Congress and CPN-UML, the key ruling parties discussed several issues including the appointment of the Nepal Rastra Bank Governor at the meeting called just ahead of the presentation of the government’s policy and programmes by President Ramchandra Paudel on Friday. Meanwhile, the government is also expediting budget preparations.

Most of the senior ruling party leaders were present in the meeting except for Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Thapa, who is travelling to Germany, according to a leader.

Speaking with reporters, CPN-UML Deputy General Secretary Pradeep Kumar Gyawali said the meeting stressed making development efforts more effective and timely, and preventing the misuse of resources.

He said there was a call to introduce programmes with integrated plans focusing on entrepreneurship, skill development, startups, business growth, and market expansion to inspire hope among the youth.

Moreover, leaders asked the government to ruthlessly cut down on unnecessary structures and wasteful expenditures; enhance good governance and efficiency; and strengthen foreign relations.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli convened the meeting of ruling parties to discuss the government’s policies and programmes for the upcoming fiscal year, which President Paudel is scheduled to present before both houses of the federal parliament on Friday.

The leaders urged the government to present a budget that collectively responds to attacks on the existing system, addresses issues of migration, and promotes mountain-focused agricultural and livestock development programmes.

UML leaders told the prime minister to present such programmes in the budget that promote employment and curb migration through agricultural and livestock development.

Suggestions were also made to end the scattered nature of projects and the resulting wasteful use of resources, said Gyawali.

“In particular, the parties have suggested introducing programmes with a comprehensive plan to instill hope and confidence in the younger generation—focusing on entrepreneurship, skill development, startups, business plants, and market protection,” Gyawali said.

There was also discussion on increasing the government’s spending capacity to bring the economy back on track, cutting unnecessary and wasteful structures and expenditures with determination, and improving government efficiency.