The government has initiated discussions with the relevant ministries about the budget for the upcoming financial year 2081/82. Accordingly, the National Planning Commission held a discussion with various relevant ministries and agencies.
“Before setting the budget ceiling for the coming year, discussions have started with various relevant ministries on what kind of plans and programs are needed and how much budget is required”, said Yamlal Bhusal, the NPC spokesperson. It may be noted that the Resource Estimation Committee is chaired by the Vice Chair of the National Planning Commission.
However, in the previous years, the committee used to set the budget limits without the participation and discussion with the relevant ministries. This led to discrepancy in budget allocation as per the priority plans and programs. Spokesperson Bhusal said that the budget ceiling will now be determined based on the discussion of aforementioned concerns beforehand.
After analyzing the status of expenditure up to mid-January of the current financial year, the estimates of the next year’s budget and the limit of expenditure will be determined. The NPC held discussion on the budget priorities and ceiling with the Ministries of Labour, Urban Development, Forest and Environment, Health and Population, Energy, Water Resources and Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.
Discussions have been held with the Office of the President and the Vice President, the Supreme Court and other agencies. Discussions with other ministries and agencies will continue on Thursday and Friday. Unilateral discussion will also be held with every ministry and agency.
Budget calendar amended
Moreover, the annual budget calendar has been amended by the government.
President Ram Chandra Paudel issued the ordinance on Economic Work Procedure and Financial Accountability (first amendment), 2080, which warrants submission of budget principles and priorities three months before the budget is presented in the parliament. Similarly, time to ascertain budget ceiling by the resource determination committee has also been revised.
The change mandates government to present principles and priorities of appropriation bill before Falgun 15. Similarly, the parliament holds deliberation on principles and priorities for a month to forward suggestions to the government. The resource estimate committee will prepare budget ceiling by the end of the month of Magh and provide it to all ministries before first week of Falgun.
Even the mid-term expenditure report would be sent to all ministries before first week of Falgun as per revised budget calendar. Meanwhile, the NPC has already sought proposals for projects and programmes from the province and local levels. They are asked to submit proposals before end of the month of Magh.
