Karnali Ministry of Water Resources Struggles to Implement Development Projects

Surkhet. The Ministry of Water Resources and Energy Development in Karnali has failed to implement projects according to its own targets and commitments for the current fiscal year.

Although all projects were supposed to be in the implementation phase by the end of Ashoj, 134 projects remain stalled even as Baisakh has begun.

According to details provided by the ministry, 1,376 new projects related to water supply, irrigation, and energy were selected for the current fiscal year (2082/083). Of these, only 1,242 projects have reached the implementation stage so far.

Ministry Information Officer Engineer Sagar Acharya stated that 139 projects have been completed within the first 9 months of the current fiscal year.

Additionally, 56 projects are in a state where they cannot be implemented for various reasons. The ministry has categorized these as projects that may need to be surrendered.

Status of District-wise Project Implementation

According to the ministry, there were 177 energy, water supply, and irrigation projects in Surkhet this year. Of these, 168 have been implemented, with 34 completed, while 9 remain pending.

In Dailekh, which has 183 projects, only 174 have been implemented. In Salyan, which has 78 projects, 5 are yet to be implemented, while in Kalikot, which has 159 projects, 6 have not yet started.

Dailekh leads in project completion, having finished 96 projects so far. Similarly, Surkhet has completed 34, Kalikot 28, Dolpa 20, and Humla 57. Salyan, Jumla, Rukum West, Jajarkot, and Mugu have not been able to complete any projects to date.

Meanwhile, 7 projects in Jumla (104 total), 10 in Mugu (94 total), 23 in Rukum West (143 total), and 11 in Jajarkot (113 total) have yet to be implemented.

In Dolpa, which has 106 projects, 5 remain unimplemented, while 22 out of 222 projects in Humla have not started. Humla is also the home district of Minister for Water Resources and Energy, Bijaya Budha, and holds the highest number of projects this year.

Neglect of Commitments and Poor Capital Budget Execution

The ministry was allocated a budget of 3.83 billion 3 million for the current fiscal year. By the end of the third quarter (Chaitra), only 24.60 percent, or 949.4 million, has been spent.

The status of capital budget execution is critical. Out of a capital budget of 3.55 billion 57 million, only 22.41 percent, or 796.7 million, has been utilized so far.

The failure to implement projects on time has directly impacted the execution of the development budget.

Chief Minister Yamlal Kandel had been directing that all projects for the current fiscal year be implemented by the end of Ashoj. A 10-point commitment letter was issued on Shrawan 30 during a comprehensive discussion on improving budget implementation and staff performance.

Chief Minister Yamlal Kandel is frustrated that ministers and staff have failed to work according to the government's goals and commitments. Kandel is concerned that despite repeated instructions, he has been unable to accelerate the government's pace. He is not satisfied with the performance of any minister.

Point number 6 of the commitment letter, issued in the presence of the Chief Minister and all ministers, stated that projects under the approved annual budget and program would be implemented by the end of Ashoj. The commitment stated, 'We will expedite the procurement process and accelerate the implementation of multi-year and ongoing projects by the end of Ashoj.'

However, the Ministry of Water Resources and Energy Development has not been able to implement all projects even as half of Baisakh has passed.

The Ministry of Water Resources and Energy has reviewed this matter. 'A review was conducted, but it is difficult to work in the mountains due to the cold and the migration of people to the hills and plains,' said a member of Minister Bijaya Budha's secretariat, quoting the minister. 'Delays occurred because most of the work had to be done through consumer committees.'

The ministry's review also attributed the delays to the House of Representatives elections held in Falgun and the protests in Bhadra. Minister Budha has directed that the remaining projects be completed as soon as possible.