Government Offices in Kathmandu Quiet as Budget Season Begins Amid Ministerial Vacuum

Kathmandu. The hustle for budget formulation in the country has almost begun. If all ministries in Singha Durbar had their ministers, representatives from provincial and local levels would already be in Singha Durbar demanding budget allocations.

Not just representatives, but leaders from various political parties across districts would also be visiting Singha Durbar at this time. According to the provisions of the Constitution of Nepal, the Government of Nepal must present the budget to the Federal Parliament by Jestha 15 every year.

However, the usual crowd of people seeking budget allocations is not visible in Singha Durbar currently. Although the budget formulation calendar has started, the work is currently being carried out at the employee level. Therefore, the fervor for the budget has not yet begun at the political leadership level.

On the other hand, citizens are not seen visiting Singha Durbar for transfers, promotions, or other administrative matters. This is because most ministers have been absent from Singha Durbar since shortly before the elections. Since some ministers went to contest in the elections held on Falgun 21, most ministries are virtually vacant.

Ministries appear deserted as one minister has to take charge of multiple ministries. Citizens coming with administrative work are seen approaching employees, but their numbers are small.

Balram Acharya, who came from Baglung with work related to education, says he has to stay in Kathmandu for a few more days. He said, "I have been here for a few days, but work cannot be done without a minister, so I have to stay here until a new minister arrives. I have decided to return home only after finishing my work once the new cabinet is formed."

Singha Durbar, which usually sees a rush of political party workers and representatives coming with their personal and administrative work, has been quiet for some time. Employees working in Singha Durbar say that citizens are not coming in the usual numbers to ministries directly connected to the public and those where many development programs are run.

According to an employee working in the minister's office at the Ministry of Education, policy-level work has stalled due to the absence of a minister. At other times, the minister's secretariat would be overwhelmed with meetings during the budget season. Now, only empty chairs and a few employees are found. Upon reaching the office of the Minister of Education's residence, a paper with the phone number of former minister Dr. Mahabir Pun was pasted on the wall.

The employees working there said, "Back then, the minister himself had posted the phone number to listen to the grievances of service recipients. Now, since there is no minister, no one is coming."

Following the damage from the Janji movement on Bhadra 23 and 24, Minister Dr. Sudha Gautam from the Ministry of Health and Population, which was operating from temporary sheds, has informally bid farewell, stating she will not return to regular duties. The place where citizens directly come with health-related issues is now deserted. Ministry Spokesperson Dr. Prakash Budhathoki stated that the absence of a minister during the budget preparation time presents challenges in work execution.

He said, "There are people waiting to see who the new minister will be. The arrival of a minister during the budget time would have brought some effectiveness." During the budget season, not just the ministries in Singha Durbar, but the surrounding atmosphere would be vibrant with budget discussions. Kedar Ghimire, an employee at the Ministry of Home Affairs, said that seeing Singha Durbar currently deserted, unlike the usual bustle of people rushing with files in hand, feels strange.

"Those waiting for their turn at the ministry used to come to the canteen for tea, snacks, and conversations; this kept all ministry canteens full," he recalled the past, adding, "There used to be a line from the entrance itself, but now it is deserted."

Ministry Spokesperson and Joint Secretary Uday Bahadur Ranamagar of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology stated that budget preparation is a crucial time for all ministries. Recalling the past when there was no time even for snacks while preparing the budget, he said, "The absence of a minister significantly reduces public interactions. This situation is noticeable at this important time for budget preparation."

The House of Representatives elections were completed on Falgun 21. Newly elected members of parliament are scheduled to take their oaths on Thursday. A new Prime Minister will be sworn in on Friday, followed by the formation of the cabinet. Only then will the hustle and bustle in Singha Durbar resume.