KATHMANDU, May 5 -- Finance Minister Barshaman Pun has reiterated his stance of announcing the budget for the upcoming fiscal year within the ceiling provided by the National Planning Commission (NPC), but Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal seems to be on the side of breaching the threshold given by the NPC.

Speaking at a meeting of the Development, Economic Affairs and Good Governance Committee under the National Assembly on Friday, Finance Minister Pun said the government will not cross the budget ceiling of Rs 1.8 trillion fixed by the NPC. "The government cannot cross the limit given by the NPC," said Pun, replying to a number of lawmakers, who argued for increasing the budget on specific areas.

Just a day after Pun expressed his vie...