KATHMANDU, June 17: All the seven provincial governments have announced a total budget of Rs 287 billion for the next year, prioritizing capital expenditure.
The amount earmarked for the fiscal year 2025/26 is Rs 8.59 billion more compared to the total budget for the current FY. While Gandaki and Lumbini provinces have reduced their budget size, the remaining five have increased their earmarked expenses for the upcoming fiscal year.
The Constitution has mandated all the seven provincial governments to announce their budget on June 15 (Asar 1) every year. The budget announcement date for the local governments is June 24 (Asar 10).
Of the announced budget, the provincial governments have allocated Rs 171 billion (59 percent) for development projects. All provinces except Koshi Province have allocated more budgets under the heading of capital expenditure.
What is missing in budget for agriculture?
Koshi Province has given priority mainly to the health, agriculture and manufacturing sectors. Of the total budget of Rs 35.87 billion, the province has allocated Rs 3.51 billion for the health sector whereas agriculture and manufacturing will get Rs 2.18 billion. The province has launched the Earn while studying’ program for the next FY.
Out of its earmarked expenditure of Rs 46.98 billion, Madhesh Province government says it will focus on mechanization of agriculture and minimization of pesticides in agro products. The province has launched the ‘Improve soil health’ program.
Bagmati Province has given priority to a digitized economy for the next FY. From the earmarked expense of Rs 67.47 billion, the provincial government is investing in a cashless public transport program, four smart agro farms and promotion of 13 enterprises in 13 districts under ‘one ward-one enterprise’ program.
With an estimation of funds worth Rs 11.97 billion, Gandaki Province has underlined its priority to construction of physical infrastructure. While the provincial government earmarked a total budget of Rs 31.97 billion for the upcoming FY, it has announced ‘one house, one water tap’ as its specific program.
Lumbini Province has maintained its focus on agriculture in the next FY. Out of the total budget of Rs 38.91 billion, the province has announced capital expenditure of Rs 23.47 billion. Promotion of mustard and paddy, home-based service to 1,500 farmers, complete organic farming, irrigation, farmers’ subsidy and land reform are among the main priorities of Lumbini Province.
Karnali Province has allocated only Rs 19.98 billion for capital expenditure out of its total budget of Rs 32.99 billion. Promotion of industries based on local raw materials, vernacular products and Koseli Ghar, and local enterprise are the focused programs of the province for the next FY.
Sudurpashchim Province has announced ‘one district-one enterprise’ program, while keeping in high priority the installation of cable cars for tourism promotion, construction of rural roads in Bajhang, Baitadi and Darchula districts and establishment of a business incubation center. Of the announced budget of Rs 33.47 billion, the provincial government has allocated Rs 19.83 billion for capital expenditure.
