Finance Minister Paudel opposes full budget authority for local governments

KATHMANDU: Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel has stated that budget formulation and allocation powers cannot be fully handed over to provincial and local governments.

Addressing the House of Representatives on Wednesday, he responded to opposition concerns regarding the ‘Financial Procedures and Fiscal Responsibility (First Amendment) Bill 2081.’

Minister Paudel emphasized that the federal government and parliament are responsible for policymaking in development and that granting full budgetary control to lower levels would hinder national progress.

He justified the provisions in the bill based on past national practices.