Dharan budget process resumes

KATHMANDU: Despite the provision under the Local Government Operation Act that requires local governments to endorse their annual budget by the end of Asar, Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City has yet to present its budget for the new fiscal year.

After remaining in a “budget holiday” for nearly a month, the sub-metropolis has now resumed the process and announced preparations for a budget of Rs 2.20 billion for the ongoing fiscal year.

According to spokesperson and Ward No. 17 chairperson Manoj Kumar Bhattarai (Surya), the Budget Source and Ceiling Determination Committee has finalized the expenditure ceiling and forwarded it to the wards.

A total ceiling of Rs 210 million has been set for all 20 wards of the sub-metropolis.

Wards have been given until Friday to finalize their plans. Once ward-level planning is completed, the executive meeting will be held, followed by the municipal assembly to endorse the budget, Bhattarai said.

However, the CPN-UML—despite holding a majority in the municipal council—expressed disagreement during the budget source estimation and ceiling determination process.

Dharan is currently led by independent mayor Harka Sampang.

The sub-metropolis has stated that the executive meeting is scheduled for coming Sunday and Monday, after which the municipal assembly will be called to pass the budget.