King Gyanendra issued three ordinances Monday night, including one extending the budget for the year 2002/3 for another six months, the Prime Minister’s Office said Monday night.

Earlier, Prime Minister and Chairman of the National Planning Commission (NPC) Lokendra Bahadur Chand Monday reviewed the mid-term budget for 2002/3 and approved the development expenditure without changes before the budget was expected to be announced Monday through ordinance.

The cabinet was expected to discuss the proposed budget at a cabinet meeting Monday and send it to King Gyanendra for approval.

The budget is being announced for the second time through ordinance after the present budget presented by then Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba in mid 2002 could not be presented to parliament which was dissolved with fresh elections called.

The elections were never held in November.