Nepalese royal family does not make the media headlines for its lavish lifestyle like some royal families of Europe. However, during King Gyanendra's direct rule budget for the royal family increased five times and it was $8.7 million in the current fiscal year. $8.7 million is nothing compared to the expense suffered by the tax payers of UK for their royal family but for Nepalese economy it is a big burden. Not only that, money has gone to the members of royal family from different sources. Since, King Gyanendra ruled the country directly; no one had the courage to object to this.
Now, the time for submitting the next national budget is coming and Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat has made it clear that he would not increase the budget of the royal family and the armed force. Now, the new Nepalese government is trying to prepare a new economic policy for the country and cutting back expenses on the royal family will be one of the key features for the new economic policy.
I guess the other royal families around the world will feel a bit nervous from this news. It is not simply ethical to spend so much amount of money when many people are suffering from poverty even in the rich European countries.
Do you agree with me?
I think this is nice movement, people must take action against the domination of King. In this modern days, I think government should decrease King's power.
Kings can be good ( like in Thailand, the King is very kind to people ) but can be a tyrant too.
Posted by: hedgehogman | May 25, 2006 6:38 PM | Permalink to Comment