61 local governments yet to unveil budget for current FY

Kathmandu, Sept 6: 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 the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, 692 out of a total 753 local level governments have so far introduced their budgets and put for implementation.

With this, number of local governments failing to bring their budgets is 61. According to the ministry, five local governments from the Koshi province, 40 from the Madhes province, and five from the Bagmati province have not yet presented their budgets.

It is found that the local governments have failed to present their budgets due to political dispute and local coordination gap.

When all local governments in the Gandaki province have brought budgets, seven local governments from Lumbini province, three from Karnali province and a local government from Sudurpaschim province failed to comply with budget unveiling.

Bhojpur Salpasilichho rural municipality, Itahari sub-metropolitan city, Dharan sub-metropolitan city, Sunbarshi municipality of Morang, and Sunkoshi rural municipality of Okhaldhunga have not yet been able to make their budgets public.

Only five local level governments in Saptari under the Madhes province have not disclosed their budgets. Three from Siraha, ten from Dhanusha, one from Mahottari, five from Sarlahi, five from Rautahat, five from Bara, and five from Parsa have not presented their budgets.

According to the portal maintained at the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, 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 portal of the ministry.

Among other local governments failing to bring the budgets in Lumbini province are Palhinandan rural municipality and Pratappur rural municipality from Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta West), Kotihimai and Sammerimai rural municipalities from Rupandehi, Shuddhodhan rural municipality from Kapilvastu, Tulsipur sub-metropolitan city and Lamahi municipality from Dang.

It is stated in the ministry’s details that Kumakh, Chhatreswori, and Dharma rural municipalities of Salyan district in Karnali province have not submitted their budgets.

Similarly, it is noted that Tikapur municipality in Sudurpaschim province has not submitted its budget according to the ministry’s details.

The Constitution has obligated the federal government to present the budget in a joint session of both the Houses of the Federal Parliament on Jestha 15 every year.

Likewise, there is a provision for the provincial governments to present their budget proposals on Asar 1 and the local governments to introduce budgets on Asar 10 every year.