KATHMANDU, May 8: The government has started homework to amend the Public Procurement Act to accelerate the stalled development projects, Finance Minister Yubaraj Khatiwada said on Wednesday.
Speaking at the Parliament's Finance Committee, Khatiwada said that the government is committed to push forward an amendment bill on the Public Procurement Act.
"We hope it would get approved from the House of Representatives within the current fiscal year," he said.
Govt extends deadlines for projects worth Rs 400 billion
The finance minister informed that recently-introduced Public Procurement regulation has stringent provisions to take action against those contractors failing to complete projects within the stipulated timeframe.
On the occasion, the parliamentarians urged the government to amend the Public Procurement Act immediately.
Former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai said that the government's focus should be on development and prosperity in the fiscal year budget.
"The government should bring such programs that contribute to meet the Sustainable Development Goals," he said.
Former Finance Minister Surendra Pandey said that there is no option other than amending the Public Procurement Act and take action against those contractors failing to complete projects within the stipulated timeframe.
"The government should accelerate the development projects which are delayed for several years," he said.
