Bagmati Province Government Allocates Budget to Small and Fragmented Projects Against Guidelines

Makwanpur. The Bagmati Province Government has concentrated more budget on small and fragmented projects against the criteria. In the budget allocated for the upcoming fiscal year (2083/084), the provincial government has allocated budget to small and fragmented projects in violation of its own policies and directives.

The provincial government had published the Annual Project Proposal and Selection Directive, 2083 for budget formulation last May. According to this directive, a minimum of 5 million rupees was set for physical infrastructure (roads and bridges) and a minimum of 3 million rupees for social, economic, and tourism infrastructure. However, the budget book includes hundreds of fragmented projects ranging from 1 to 2 million rupees.

The main objective of setting the criteria of 5 million and 3 million was to prioritize large and effective projects, but the government seems to have disregarded this criterion. With projects of 10-20 lakh rupees occupying a large portion of the budget, the risk of development benefits being scattered and wasted is increasing. Fragmented projects are certain to become a means of appeasing supporters by scattering small budgets in the areas of those with influence, rather than developing sustainable infrastructure.

Under the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development, the allocated budget includes more road and bridge projects of 10 to 20 lakh rupees, contrary to the 5 million criterion. In road construction, projects like Ramdal Karantol road construction, Chisapani Dhial Danda Bakaiya road construction, and Shleftrightarrow road construction in Makwanpur have been allocated only 20 lakh rupees each.

Similarly, 1.35 million rupees have been allocated for the Tadi Khola Mane Bhanjyang Deurali road in Dhading, and only 1 million rupees for the Ekta Tol Chaudhary Gaun road upgrade in Chitwan. In the field of bridge construction, contrary to the criteria, proposals for the Chauthe Khola suspension bridge construction in Nuwakot, the Nibotare Dumre connecting suspension bridge, and the road bridge construction connecting Bidur 5 to Belkotgadhi-12 have been made with a budget of 20 lakh rupees each.

The criteria for budget allocation have also been ignored in economic, tourism, and social sector programs. Although the directive requires a minimum of 3 million rupees to be allocated for tourism and social infrastructure, the budget of the Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Labor, and Transport shows a plethora of projects ranging from 1 to 1.5 million rupees. Projects like Bhujin Bihar and Biran Bihar upgrade, historical pond and well park construction, and Tharthok temple and park construction have been allocated 10 lakh rupees each.

How many 10/20 lakh projects are there?

According to the Bagmati Province Government's budget statement and program details book for the fiscal year 2083/84, the number of projects ranging from 10 to 20 lakh rupees appears to be over 1,700. These projects are included in sources such as pages 30-141, 239-443, 451-593, 597-693 of the budget program book.

Under the Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Labor, and Transport alone, more than 400 projects for tourism infrastructure, temple, park, and Bihar construction are included in the budget of 10 to 20 lakh rupees on pages 30-141 of the book. In the Ministry of Water Supply, Energy, and Irrigation, more than 500 projects for river control, irrigation canals, and embankments have been allocated at rates of 10, 15, and 20 lakh rupees.

Under the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development, despite the 50 lakh criterion for road and bridge construction, there are more than 250 projects for road maintenance and upgrading in the range of 10 to 20 lakh rupees. In the Ministry of Health and Social Development, more than 200 small projects for school buildings, playgrounds, and social awareness fall within this budget range.

How many in each district?

According to the Bagmati Government's budget and program details book, projects allocated at the rate of 10 to 20 lakh rupees are present in all 13 districts of the province. The highest number of small projects in the province are seen in Makwanpur district, located in various wards of Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City and Bagmati Rural Municipality.

Fragmented projects have been controlled and budget brought: Minister Tamang

The spokesperson of the Bagmati Province Government and Minister for Economic Affairs and Planning, Prabhat Tamang, said that fragmented projects have been significantly reduced in the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. He stated that while efforts have been made to fully adhere to the criteria and directives set during budget formulation, the number of projects has been reduced compared to the past.

According to Minister Tamang, the number of projects, which was around 24,000 in the current fiscal year, has been reduced to 13,000 for the upcoming fiscal year. He said that the small projects of 10 to 20 lakh rupees mentioned in the budget book are unfinished projects from the past. He added that although a ceiling of 5 million rupees has been set for physical infrastructure, projects up to 5 lakh rupees had to be included to complete unfinished works that can be accomplished with small budgets.

“We started working by making a directive to control fragmented projects. Although the directive could not be implemented 100% due to lack of time and some practical difficulties, we have been about 70% successful,” said Minister Tamang. “For unfinished projects, we have made a provision that the ceiling will not apply. Since it was not possible to immediately go to the 5 million criterion, we amended the directive through a 'hindrance removal' process and set a minimum of 2 million for physical infrastructure and 1 million for others.”

Minister Tamang also stated that it is challenging to control all fragmented projects at once due to project recommendations coming from Members of Parliament. According to him, the project bank has been used to the maximum extent this year. He said that the government's goal is to make the project bank fully mandatory and allocate the budget from next year.

Minister Tamang said that the government has moved towards improving the system despite the time pressure during budget formulation. He said that this budget has focused on prioritizing projects and the proper utilization of resources.