Govt deploys teams to resolve local budget delays
Despite the fiscal year already being underway, many sub-metropolitan cities, municipalities, and rural municipalities have not yet passed their budgets through their respective councils.
KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration has decided to deploy three teams to facilitate discussions and resolve issues faced by local governments that have failed to approve and implement their annual budget and programs for the current fiscal year.
Despite the fiscal year already being underway, many sub-metropolitan cities, municipalities, and rural municipalities have not yet passed their budgets through their respective councils.
In response, the ministry has taken the initiative to send facilitation teams, as confirmed by Narayan Budhaprithi, personal secretary to Federal Affairs Minister Bhagawati Neupane.
Starting Wednesday, the ministry will deploy three teams led by joint secretaries.
These teams will include representatives from the National Association of Rural Municipalities in Nepal, the Municipal Association of Nepal, and the respective District Coordination Committees.
Their aim is to hold on-site discussions with the concerned local governments and create an environment for the prompt approval and implementation of budgets and programs.
The Constitution of Nepal grants economic autonomy to local governments under Article 59 (Use of Financial Powers) and Article 60 (Revenue Sharing).
Further, Article 230 requires that the village or municipal executive present and pass the estimated annual revenue and expenditure through the respective village or municipal assembly to ensure financial discipline.
