Kathmandu: Some 61 local governments have yet to unveil their budgets for the current fiscal year. As per the rule, the local level governments are obliged to introduce their budgets within June 24 (Asar 10).
According to National News Agency Nepal, the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration reported that 692 out of a total 753 local level governments have so far introduced their budgets and put them into implementation. With this, the number of local governments failing to bring their budgets is 61. The ministry noted that political disputes and local coordination gaps are the primary reasons for this delay.
Specifically, five local governments from the Koshi province, 40 from the Madhes province, and five from the Bagmati province have not yet presented their budgets. Notably, all local governments in the Gandaki province have successfully introduced their budgets. Meanwhile, seven local governments from Lumbini province, three from Karnali province, and one from Sudurpaschim province have
failed to comply with the budget unveiling deadline.
Bhojpur Salpasilichho rural municipality, Itahari sub-metropolitan city, Dharan sub-metropolitan city, Sunbarshi municipality of Morang, and Sunkoshi rural municipality of Okhaldhunga are among those yet to make their budgets public. In the Madhes province, only five local governments in Saptari have disclosed their budgets, while others from Siraha, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara, and Parsa remain outstanding.
The Ministry’s portal indicates that Hariharpurgadhi rural municipality of Sindhuli, Bigu of Dolakha, and Khaniyabas and Galchi rural municipalities of Dhading have not presented their budgets. Although the Kathmandu Metropolitan City has already unveiled its budget, it appears that they have not yet posted the details to the Ministry’s portal.
In Lumbini province, Palhinandan and Pratappur rural municipalities from Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta West), Kotihimai and Sammerimai rural municipalities from Rupandehi, Shuddhodhan rural mun
icipality from Kapilvastu, Tulsipur sub-metropolitan city, and Lamahi municipality from Dang have not brought forward their budgets.
The ministry’s details also state that Kumakh, Chhatreswori, and Dharma rural municipalities of Salyan district in Karnali province have not submitted their budgets. Similarly, Tikapur municipality in Sudurpaschim province has not submitted its budget according to the ministry’s records.
The Constitution mandates the federal government to present the budget in a joint session of both the Houses of the Federal Parliament on Jestha 15 every year. Additionally, provincial governments are required to present their budget proposals on Asar 1, while local governments are expected to introduce budgets by Asar 10 each year.