Kathmandu, Oct. 27 -- Lumbini Chief Minister Chet Narayan Acharya on Saturday complained that the federal government's move to freeze the budget has affected development projects in the province.

He said projects directly related to the public, such as roadways, drinking water, and urban development, have come to a complete halt after the decision. Addressing a party function, Acharya, a CPN-UML leader, said people's aspirations for development and a better life cannot be addressed by stopping the budget.

"We have been told not to proceed with any development project. How long will this continue, we are not sure," he said.

A few days after assuming office, Finance Minister Rameshore Khanal decided to halt various small projects totalli...