Kathmandu: The civil society organizations (CSOs) working in the sector of public finance management and governance have underscored the need for working together to make effective the budget execution. Collaboration on oversight interventions are imperative, they viewed.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the argument was made that the budget should not be confined to government agencies as it directly impacts the public. The effectiveness of its implementation requires informed understanding, analysis, and observation by CSOs and media. Collaborative efforts create a foundation for better governance of the budget.
In a three-day training organized by the International Budget Partnership (IBP) on ‘Collaborating on Open and Accountable Budgeting’ in Kathmandu, participants and experts discussed various issues concerning budget cycles. They explored how CSOs and media could work in unison to hold public agencies accountable for budget utilization that meets citizens’ needs and contributes to the country’s development.
During the training, Ramu Prasad Dotel, former Deputy Auditor General at the Office of the Auditor General (OAG), presented on ‘Strengthening Civil Society Oversight in Budget Execution by Leveraging Work of SAI and Audit Finding’. Dotel emphasized that CSOs could directly engage with or utilize the work of oversight agencies such as SAI and parliamentary committees. He highlighted the importance of procurement monitoring as an integral part of budget oversight, noting its absence in Nepal.
Alexandre Ciconello, a trainer and senior program officer at the International Budget Partnership, pointed out the presence of strong CSOs in Nepal capable of collaborating on budget monitoring at federal, provincial, and local levels. However, he noted existing gaps in citizens’ access to information regarding budget implementation and policy performance. He remarked on the opportunities fiscal decentralization presents for citizens’ participation in local budgeting.
Good governance advocate and Chief Executive at Freedom Forum, Taranath Dahal, shared insights on how the right to information (RTI) has been used to expose VAT evasion, aiding state revenue collection. He emphasized the importance of the training in empowering CSOs to collectively work on public finance, ensuring wise budget use and transparency. He also advocated for the establishment of a budget office in parliament to educate lawmakers on budget issues, suggesting that CSOs could support this initiative.
The training event, attended by two dozen CSO representatives and media personnel, delved into various aspects of public finance management, with a focus on budget implementation in Nepal. Participants shared international best practices on budget oversight and emphasized the need for widespread awareness among Nepali citizens on budget matters for informed advocacy. The event, facilitated by Freedom Forum, concluded with a call for increased citizen awareness and participation in budget oversight.