Development and construction work has been delayed as only 39.91 percent of the total budget was spent in the first 10 months of the fiscal year.
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The Lumbini provincial government has spent only 39.91 percent of the total budget in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year (Baishakh). Last year, the provincial government had spent 46.46 percent of the budget at the same time.
For the current fiscal year, the government had allocated a total budget of Rs 38.91 billion, including Rs 23.47 billion 14.65 million for capital and Rs 15.43 billion 85 million 35 thousand for current. According to the Provincial Accounts Controller's Office, only Rs 13.79 billion 91 million 85 thousand 942 were spent on current and capital by the end of Baisakh.
However, last year, 46.46 percent, or Rs 18.15 billion 10 million, was spent during the same period, said Ravinda Aryal, Information Officer at the Provincial Treasury and Accounts Controller's Office. ‘The budget seems to be about 7 percent lower this year compared to the same time last year,’ he said, ‘The Gen-G movement, elections, etc. may have also had some impact.’ He said that the impact of price increases on construction materials could also be another reason.
With only two months left for the end of the fiscal year, the budget spending situation is weak. Questions are being raised about the government’s performance, especially since capital expenditure related to development and construction is low. The issue of changing the government’s leadership or ministers is also being raised as the government has not been able to spend the budget.
The Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers has spent 26.66 percent of its budget, or 133.783 million rupees, in 10 months. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Planning has spent 438.625 million or 26.75 percent, and the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Transport has spent 28.07 percent of the 534.444 million rupees by the end of Baisakh.
Lumbini Provincial Government Spokesperson and Minister for Agriculture, Land Management and Cooperatives Dinesh Panthi claimed that the total budget will be spent more than 70 percent by the end of the fiscal year, like in previous years. Last year, the government had spent only 72.43 percent of the total budget. Similarly, the Provincial Accounts Controller's Office has stated that the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation of the province has spent 38.98 percent of the 1.469 billion rupees.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Land Management and Cooperatives has spent 35.52 percent of the 534.498 billion rupees so far, while the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law has spent 11.24 percent of the 412.286 billion rupees. Similarly, the Ministry of Forests and Environment has spent 41.15 percent of the 1.481 billion rupees. The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development has spent 43.28 percent of the 4.295.744 billion rupees. The Ministry of Youth and Sports has spent 16.34 percent of the budget of Rs 68.61 crore.
Similarly, the Ministry of Urban Development and Drinking Water has spent 36.59 percent of the budget of Rs 2.56654 crore, according to the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General. The Ministry of Social Development has spent 26.66 percent of the budget of Rs 964.58 crore. The Ministry of Health has spent 58.23 percent of the budget of Rs 2.883961 crore so far.
