Minister Khadka urges inclusive, result-oriented budget for energy & irrigation

KATHMANDU: Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Deepak Khadka has emphasized the need for an inclusive and regionally balanced budget while preparing for the upcoming fiscal year.

Speaking at a review meeting held today at the Ministry of Energy to evaluate the current fiscal year’s expenditures, Minister Khadka stated that the next fiscal budget should address all geographical areas and key needs. “Project heads should request only as much budget as they can realistically spend. Let’s complete ongoing projects within the scheduled time,” he said.

Stressing the importance of fair budget allocation, he called for increased use of technology to enhance the ministry’s effectiveness and insisted on curbing unnecessary expenditures. He urged all subordinate bodies and employees to work in a result-oriented manner.

Energy Secretary Suresh Acharya noted that national pride multipurpose projects have not achieved satisfactory progress.

He highlighted the need to approach the next fiscal year’s budget and programs with a new perspective and called for integrity in budget implementation.

Acharya also pointed out that the recently unveiled roadmap for energy development lacks sufficient funding, and the ministry is working to raise the budget ceiling accordingly.

Similarly, Irrigation Secretary Sarita Dawadi suggested reallocating unused budgets from underperforming projects to those showing better progress.

Emphasizing the importance of underground irrigation systems, she stated that the effectiveness of irrigation is only realized when water reaches the farmers’ fields.

Secretary Dawadi also expressed concern over the reduced budget ceiling for the next fiscal year compared to the current one and affirmed that the ministry is actively working to secure an increased allocation.