Sudur Paschim sets priority to health and agriculture

Kathmandu - The Sudurpaschim State has attached priority to the agricultural sector in its budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The state government on Monday unveiled the budget, allocating Rs 600 million to agriculture. The slogan ' model agricultural village, let's build ourselves' which is mentioned in the budget speech reflects the state's priority towards the development and promotion of agriculture.

The budget does mention about several schemes like self-employment in agricultural sector for those rendered jobless due to COVID-19 crisis, a subsidy in fertilisers and seeds and a discount on customs duty, agriculture insurance and premium, livestock disease control and vaccinations, promotion of dairy industries, livestock education, mechanised agriculture, 50 percent grants for livestock and fishery and so on. It has allocated budget for building slaughter houses at Tikapur and Godavari in Kailali, for one local level: one agri-products storage and integrated agriculture development and for developing collective cow farms, among others.

Housing for landless people, commercial use of Guthi land, commercialization of sugarcane farming, extension of integrated market in all districts, commercial fruits cultivation, availability of seeds resource center and chilling centers, poultry farming and goat keeping have been focused in the budget. Commenting on the budget, SA member Krishna Chaudhary said the budget incorporating promotional programmes for agriculture was indeed a positive side. ''It seems the budget has acknowledged agriculture is our base,'' he said, stressing on its effective implementation.

Minister for Economic Affairs and Planning Jhapat Bahadur Bohara presented the state budget of Rs 33.38 billion before the SA with Rs 14.18 billion under the current expenditure while the capital expenditures stands at Rs 16.75 billion. Similarly, Rs 2.13 billion has been allocated towards inter-government finance management and Rs 300 million is for finance management. The State has decided to mark the upcoming fiscal as the 'year for health sector reform' with the allocation of Rs 3.26 billion for the same and is expected to enhance the Tikapur Hospital's infrastructure to support the health service reforms there.

Through the budget, the State government bearing in mind the existing COVID crisis announced to build a 10-bed facility in seven district hospitals including the Tikapur Hospital and ensured budget to establish and operate a trauma center in the Seti State Hospital, Dhangadhi, and establish an infectious disease control hospital and research center at Tikapur Hospital.

The government has declared to give a full exemption on agriculture income and tourism fees and deduct tax for land registration and vehicles. As said, the budget aims to reform revenues policy and tax system to make the economy hit by the crisis dynamic and create investment-friendly atmosphere. It has decided to stop allowance, overtime, meeting and risk allowance for employees except for those working at the front-line in the control and prevention of coronavirus beginning from upcoming 16 July, which marks the commencement of a new fiscal year in the country.