Gandaki Province holding pre-budget discussions

GANDAKI, May 12: The Gandaki Province government has begun pre-budget discussions for the upcoming fiscal year, 2083/84 BS. The principles and priorities of the budget are discussed during the deliberations. The provincial government is obliged to announce the annual budget on Asar 1 as per the Nepali calendar.

The Minister for Economic Affairs, Jit Bahadur Sherchan, informed that the principles and priorities of the budget and programmes would be presented in the Province Assembly before introducing the annual budget. "Pre-budget discussions are going on now. The government is planning to incorporate suggestions from local levels on the budget," he said.

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According to him, homework is underway to introduce mega projects that will contribute to the province's journey to prosperity. However, the enforceability of the budget would be taken into account while formulating it, he shared.

The chief of the budget division at the ministry, Dilli Ram Rijal, informed that the pre-budget discussions were organized in all districts of the province except Kaski. "Discussions are also being held with the local levels, private sector and other stakeholders on budget formulation," he said. Thematic ministries are coordinated in this bid. 

It is informed that the budget size would, however, decline slightly. Last year, the Gandaki Province government had announced the budget of Rs 31.98 billion. As the provincial government has not been able to increase internal resources, it is facing stress during budget formulation.

The revenue collection has not met the target either.