Communist Party Whip Yubaraj Dulal Demands Full Financial Equalization Grant for Local Levels

Kathmandu. Nepali Communist Party (NCP) Chief Whip Yubaraj Dulal has demanded that the government provide 100 percent financial equalization grant to local levels. He has put pressure on the government to provide the full grant, noting that the government has cut 20 percent in the first installment and 21 percent in the second installment of the grant to local levels. Chief Whip Dulal also drew the government's attention to the fact that due to the cut in this grant, local levels are currently in a difficult situation where they are unable to make payments. He also stated that the government cannot cut this grant, which is given according to the constitution.

Speaking at the meeting, Chief Whip Dulal said, 'The budget of local levels is made based on the financial equalization grant sent by the federal government to the local levels. And other development construction and procurement activities are also completed on time at the local levels. Due to the federal government cutting 20 percent in the first installment and 21 percent in the second installment of the amount that local levels are mandatorily supposed to receive from the distribution of state revenue, there is currently a big problem in paying the budgets of local levels.'

He added, 'Today, the Federation of Rural Municipalities of Nepal and the Federation of Municipalities of Nepal have also drawn our attention. Therefore, from our party's side, I demand that the government pay 100 percent of the financial equalization grant amount transferred to the local levels without any cuts.'

MP Dulal not only raised the issue of the budget crisis of local levels but also expressed dissatisfaction that the government has not made necessary preparations for future disaster risk reduction.