50 Million for a Toilet? Minister Rai Under Fire!

The Koshi province government is facing intense scrutiny and public backlash over the allocation of a staggering budget for the construction of a single toilet. The controversial move has raised eyebrows, with critics pointing to what they deem as exorbitant spending on seemingly mundane projects.

Shamsher Rai, the Congress Member of Parliament elected from 1 (B) constituency of Ilam and the Minister for Internal Affairs and Law, has come under fire for budgeting a whopping 50 million for the construction of a single toilet in Shree Antu, Ilam. This decision has triggered widespread criticism, as citizens question the rationality and priorities of such an allocation.

The issue extends beyond Rai, as similar instances of substantial budget allocations have been observed in the areas of various political figures. Former Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki, Maoist Center Parliamentary Party leader Indra Bahadur Angbo, Congress MP Himal Karki from Udayapur, and CPN Unified Socialist party leader Rajendra Rai have all seen crores of budget poured into their respective regions.

However, the most controversial move came from the Koshi province government itself, which allocated a whopping five crores for the construction of a single toilet. This decision was met with widespread public criticism, prompting action from Ganesh Upreti, the Minister of Tourism, Forestry, and Environment in Koshi Province.

In response to the mounting backlash, Upreti, who recently assumed office, announced that the toilet budget is set to be cut. He revealed that the funds originally earmarked for the toilet project will now be redirected towards developing tourist areas in Ilam. While this decision is seen as a step in the right direction, questions still linger about the initial allocation and the decision-making process that led to such a significant budget for a single toilet.