न्यूज अभियान
हरेक खबर विशेष खबर

Kathmandu, Aug 20: Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle has clarified that the government has not slashed budget for health insurance programme. 
At the 'Citizen, Policy and Leadership' dialogue programme organized by the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) at the party office, Banasthali, today, Dr Wagle clarified the government opinion towards health insurance. 
The erstwhile government had earmarked Rs 1 billion for health insurance, and when it was inadequate to meet the need an additional Rs 1.1 billion was added last year, Finance Minister Dr Wagle informed. 
He clarified that this year's budget has increased by Rs 500 million for health insurance, bringing it to Rs 1.5 billion. 
Finance Minister Dr. Wagle said while the government's responsibility in health insurance is still increasing, there are doubts about whether citizens have actually received services according to the investment. 
He mentioned that the health insurance programme continues in government hospitals and that studies are being conducted to make it more effective. 
Similarly, Finance Minister Dr. Wagle said the government has started initiatives to help entrepreneurs who unintentionally ended up in financial trouble, like being on the 'blacklist' due to bounced checks, and discussions are ongoing with the central bank about providing relief to those trapped in the 'vicious cycle' of the blacklist.
Finance Minister Dr Wagle noted around 170,000 Nepali entrepreneurs and others have faced financial difficulties due to bounced checks, and efforts have been initiated to help them get out of this situation. 
“I have instructed the central bank to work quickly on how relief can be provided to those unknowingly caught in the vicious cycle of the blacklist”, he added. 
He pointed out that the problem of blacklist has been escalating over the past few years and has created situations that badly affect entrepreneurs.