In the first half of the current Fiscal Year 2024/25, Karnali Province managed to utilise merely 15 percent of the projected budget.
Of the total allocation of Rs. 31.41 billion, only Rs. 4.75 billion (15.14 percent) had been spent by mid-January.
This situation was disclosed during the mid-term budget review of the year. The assessment was conducted in the company of Chief Minister Yamlal Kandel, alongside various ministers and secretaries of ministries.
The Office of the Attorney General recorded the highest level of expenditure, having accessed 40 percent of its total budget. On the other hand, the provincial government achieved an internal revenue of Rs. 1.99 billion and reported a remaining balance of Rs. 11.48 billion in its consolidated fund.
Chief Minister Kandel applauded the commendable progress of the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Urban Development, urging that this positive trend be sustained. He also instructed that contractors receive payments based on assessments of their work.
Additionally, CM Kandel stressed the importance of enhancing tourism and industrial initiatives to increase revenue and proposed exploring agroforestry avenues.
Moreover, he suggested that infrastructure created for tourism be handed over to local governments, with a stipulation that a portion of the revenue generated from these areas be allocated to the province.
Regarding sports, he conveyed the provincial government’s dedication to the timely execution of the 10th National Sports Competition.
He called on relevant stakeholders to recommend essential programs and budget provisions to improve the skills, training, and management of Karnali’s athletes.
The Chief Minister also noted that legislative advancements across ministries have been lacking.
He urged for a more efficient approach to legislative tasks, requesting ministries to present business proposals to the provincial assembly and hasten the establishment of necessary legal frameworks. With only five months left in the fiscal year, he directed an acceleration of activities and stressed the urgent need for an action plan to tackle budget implementation issues and insights gathered thus far.
