Rusha Thapa

Kathmandu. More than five years have passed since cooperatives, microfinance, and finance collapsed. Now the crisis has started to appear in the bank as well. It has been the same time that the country has been in economic recession. In the meantime, from Sher Bahadur Deuba to Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda), KP Sharma Oli, Sushila Karki took charge of the country, while the current government has Walendra Shah (Wallen) as the Prime Minister.

Together with Dr. Prakasharan Mahat, Bishnu Prasad Paudel, Varshaman Pun became the Minister of Finance. Currently Swarnim Wagle is the finance minister. However, the economy did not improve during anyone's tenure. Nor does the economy seem to have improved in the two months since Wagle took over as finance minister. On the contrary, he seems to be trying to destroy the economy. Now the country is in crisis. Revenue collection has come to a standstill. People are unable to pay taxes. The high cost is hurting the common man. The government has moved towards feeding employees and public representatives. What happened for votes in the past, is happening this time as well. This year, the salary of the employees has been greatly increased. However, this game has been happening only now and since before.

Mahesh Acharya was the finance minister in the financial year 2056-57. He increased the salary of employees by 80 percent at once through the budget. That is, before that, the monthly salary of the employees was 4100 rupees. Baburam Bhattarai also increased the salary of the employees when he was the finance minister. In the past, regardless of the government of any party, the salaries of the employees were increased every year. The salary was increased by 15 to 30 percent. The reason was said to be that employees should not take bribes. However, the game was about votes. 26 years ago, employees who were getting a monthly salary of 4100, now get a pension of 41 thousand rupees. Surendra Pandey, when he was the finance minister, decided to levy one percent tax on pension. 

However, as soon as he was removed from the Finance Minister, that provision was also removed. Finance Minister Wagle is bringing the budget for the next financial year 2083-84 on this 15th of June. There is a widespread discussion in the market that the salary of the employees will be increased by 30 to 57 percent through the budget. Now the chief secretary's salary is 71 thousand. If there is a 57 percent increase, the salary of the chief secretary will be one lakh 21 thousand rupees.

Similarly, the salary of an employee with a salary of Rs 35,000 will now reach Rs 45,000. Not only this, the pension will also increase. Currently, those who draw 25,000 pension will get 34,000 to 35,000. An increase in the salary of the employees means an increase in the salary of the representatives. From the President to the Prime Minister, Ministers, MPs, Mayors, Ward Presidents etc., everyone will increase. 

Currently, people's representatives receive a monthly salary of Rs 50,000 to Rs 3 lakh depending on the position. With a 57 percent increase, it will reach from 80 thousand to 4 lakh. The government has been giving uniforms to employees and public representatives. The government has been giving 8000 rupees for annual two-piece dress, but now it is being made 15000 rupees. Also, the government provides all the necessary materials including bags and pens. Employees and public representatives get allowance after meeting. Allowance is given even if office meetings are held on time. Expensive lunch is served. Expensive cars are allowed to ride. Along with that, fuel and driver are also given. On Dashain, one month's salary is given.