Janakpur, July 14 -- The Madhesh Provincial Assembly on Monday passed its budget for the upcoming fiscal year amid the boycott of opposition lawmakers, drawing criticism for fast-tracking the appropriation bill without comprehensive legislative scrutiny.

The Rs46.98 billion budget, which was originally tabled on June 15 by Finance Minister Sunil Kumar Yadav, was endorsed unanimously despite the boycott of six opposition parties.

Opponents accused the government of bypassing parliamentary procedures and manipulating budget documents under the influence of middlemen.

Lawmakers from Janata Samajbadi Party-Nepal, CPN (Unified Socialist), CPN (Maoist Centre), Nepal Sanghiya Samajbadi Party, Rastriya Prajatantra Party, and Nagarik Unmukti Pa...