Karnali Province Government Allocates 1 Billion Financial Equalization Grant to Local Levels

Surkhet. The Karnali Province Government has provided the limit of financial equalization grant amount to the local levels within the province. A limit of 1 billion financial equalization grant has been set for all 79 local levels of the province for the upcoming fiscal year (2083/084).

According to Madan Kumar Giri, senior branch officer of the Budget and Program Division of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Planning, the limit is determined and provided in accordance with subsection (3) of section 18 of the Intergovernmental Fiscal Management Act, 2074, and subsections (1) and (2) of section 4 of the Karnali Province Financial Transfer (Management) Act, 2074, based on the recommendation of the National Natural Resources and Fiscal Commission and a ministerial decision.

According to the ministry, the budget preparation process for the upcoming fiscal year is underway. Accordingly, the ceiling has been provided to the local levels.

The provincial government provides financial equalization grants to local levels divided into three bases. Local levels prepare their budget for the upcoming fiscal year by setting the source base, with a minimum of 14 crore 32 lakh 70 thousand, 81 crore 67 lakh 30 thousand based on the formula, and a limit of 4 crore for performance evaluation-based grants.

The Karnali Province Government has always complained to the central government—that grants should be given based on geography and infrastructure, not on population. When grants are given based on population, Karnali is neglected.

The provincial government itself, however, has been transferring finances to the local levels within the province based on population. Within the limit of 1 billion, Birendranagar Municipality, which is also the provincial capital, alone has received a share of 3 crore 53 lakh 35 thousand. In contrast, the least developed and largest area, Chharkatangsong Rural Municipality of Dolpa, has received only 45 lakh 62 thousand rupees.

Which local level received how much grant?

Surkhet receives a large portion of the financial equalization grant provided by the provincial government. With a population that is more than that of the three mountainous districts, and including temporary residents, Surkhet accounts for up to 40 percent of the province's total population.

For this reason, this district receives a large share of the budget grants. According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Planning, Surkhet will receive more than 15.5 crore rupees in equalization grants for the upcoming year. Surkhet is a very developed district compared to the mountainous and hilly districts.

Similarly, Simta Rural Municipality received 1 crore 39 lakh 86 thousand, Chingad 1 crore 5 lakh 50 thousand, Lekbesi 1 crore 56 lakh 33 thousand, Gurvakot 1 crore 92 lakh 55 thousand, and Bheriganga Municipality received a ceiling of 1 crore 83 lakh 97 thousand.

Barahatal received 1 crore 45 lakh 10 thousand and Chaukuane Rural Municipality received 1 crore 37 lakh 51 thousand, while Panchapuri Municipality received a limit of 1 crore 57 lakh 69 thousand.

Dailekh, with 11 local levels, will receive more than 13.5 crore rupees in financial equalization grants. Among these, Narayan Municipality received a limit of 1 crore 44 lakh 6 thousand, Athbiskot 1 crore 34 lakh 84 thousand, Chamunda Bindrasaini 1 crore 25 lakh 71 thousand, and Dullu Municipality received a limit of 1 crore 74 lakh 75 thousand.

Among the rural municipalities, Naumule received 1 crore 16 lakh 92 thousand, Mahabu Rural Municipality 1 crore 11 lakh 58 thousand, Bhairavi 1 crore 16 lakh 63 thousand, Thantikandha 1 crore 3 lakh 68 thousand, Bhagawatimai 1 crore 9 lakh 61 thousand, Dungeshwor 1 crore 3 lakh 48 thousand, and Gurans Rural Municipality received 1 crore 24 lakh 76 thousand.

Jajarkot will receive approximately 9 crore rupees in financial equalization grants for the upcoming year. Among its rural municipalities, Barekot will receive 1 crore 10 lakh, Kuse 1 crore 15 lakh 87 thousand, Junichande 1 crore 18 lakh 3 thousand, and Shivalaya Rural Municipality will receive 96 lakh 19 thousand.

Among the municipalities, Chhedagad will receive 1 crore 54 lakh 71 thousand, Bheri 1 crore 59 lakh 52 thousand, and Nalgad Municipality will receive 1 crore 29 lakh 57 thousand.

Rukum Paschim has received a limit of more than 8 crore rupees, among which the municipalities of Athbiskot will receive 1 crore 55 lakh 17 thousand, Musikot 1 crore 62 lakh 43 thousand, and Chaurjahari 1 crore 40 lakh 30 thousand. Among the rural municipalities, Sani Bheri will receive 1 crore 20 lakh 54 thousand, Banphikot 1 crore 9 lakh 32 thousand, and Triveni Rural Municipality will receive 1 crore 13 lakh 83 thousand.

Salyan is fourth in receiving the most financial equalization. It has received a limit close to 12 crore rupees. Among its municipalities, Bangad Kupinde will receive 1 crore 61 lakh 91 thousand, Sharada 1 crore 62 lakh, Bagchaur Municipality 1 crore 59 lakh 83 thousand, and among rural municipalities, Darma 1 crore 14 lakh, Kumakh 1 crore 31 lakh 11 thousand, Siddhakumakh 87 lakh 11 thousand, Chhatreshwari 1 crore 24 lakh 17 thousand, Kalimati 1 crore 33 lakh 28 thousand, Triveni 1 crore 4 lakh 74 thousand, and Kapurkot received a limit of 1 crore 9 lakh 84 thousand.

Kalikot Receives Most Financial Equalization in Former Karnali

Among the districts of former Karnali, Kalikot receives the highest limit. It has received a limit of more than 12 crore rupees, among which Raskot Municipality will receive 1 crore 38 lakh 46 thousand, Khandachakra 1 crore 88 lakh 31 thousand, and Tilagufa Municipality will receive 1 crore 42 lakh 44 thousand.

Among the rural municipalities, Palata will receive 1 crore 34 lakh 24 thousand, Pachhaljharana 1 crore 19 lakh 88 thousand, Sanni Triveni 1 crore 21 lakh 26 thousand, Narharinath 1 crore 66 lakh 59 thousand, Mahavai 1 crore 1 lakh 62 thousand, and Shubh Kalika Rural Municipality will receive a limit of 1 crore 25 lakh 92 thousand.

Jumla has received a limit of more than 9.5 crore rupees. Accordingly, Chandannath Municipality will receive 1 crore 82 lakh 49 thousand, while the rural municipalities will receive 1 crore 38 lakh 80 thousand for Patarasi, 1 crore 32 lakh for Kanaka Sundari, 1 crore 23 lakh 88 thousand for Sinja, 1 crore 18 lakh 63 thousand for Guthichaur, 1 crore 45 lakh 6 thousand for Tatopani, 1 crore 29 lakh 72 thousand for Tila, and 1 crore 13 lakh 42 thousand for Him Rural Municipality.

Total Amount Received by the 3 Himalayan Districts Equals Surkhet's

The three districts of the Himalayan region—Mugu, Dolpa, and Humla—will receive financial equalization grants equal to Surkhet. Dolpa will receive more than 5.5 crore rupees, including 56 lakh 10 thousand for Shey-Phoksundo Rural Municipality, 53 lakh 39 thousand for Jagadulla, 81 lakh 39 thousand for Mudkechula, 69 lakh 67 thousand for Kaike, 49 lakh 41 thousand for Dolpo Buddha, and 1 crore 18 lakh 89 thousand for Tripurasundari Municipality, and 1 crore 14 lakh 59 thousand for Thuli Bheri.

Mugu has received a limit of more than 5 crore rupees, including 1 crore 79 lakh 94 thousand for Chhayanath Rara Municipality, and among rural municipalities, 80 lakh 93 thousand for Mugum Karmarong, 1 crore 26 lakh 78 thousand for Sorhu, and 1 crore 53 lakh 10 thousand for Khatyad.

Humla, which has received a limit of approximately 6 crore rupees, only has rural municipalities. Chankheli here will receive 85 lakh 4 thousand, Kharpunath 89 lakh 1 thousand, Simkot 1 crore 35 lakh 96 thousand, Namkha 70 lakh 37 thousand, Sarkegad 1 crore 9 lakh 60 thousand, Adanchuli 85 lakh 42 thousand, and Tajakot will receive 79 lakh 41 thousand in financial equalization grants.