Annapurna Rural Municipality Unveils Rs 655 Million Budget for FY 2083/84, Prioritizing Infrastructure

Pokhara. Annapurna Rural Municipality has unveiled its annual budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2083/084. Vice-chairperson Chandrakala Adhikari presented a total budget of Rs 655 million for the upcoming fiscal year at the village assembly. Although the rural municipality has prioritized agriculture in its slogan, the budget has focused on infrastructure.

Of the proposed budget, Rs 480.5 million has been allocated for current expenditure and Rs 174.4 million for capital expenditure. Approximately Rs 115 million of the allocated capital expenditure has been set aside for infrastructure. Rs 112.6 million has been allocated for roads to connect the rural municipality's wards with the Mid-Hilly Highway and for the construction of a ring road, including complementary grants.

Rs 10 million has been allocated for the upgradation of the Lumle-Tanchok-Bhichuk-Lantruk rural road in the upcoming year, and Rs 27.5 million has been set aside for infrastructure development in each ward at a rate of Rs 2.5 million per ward. Chairperson Bishnu KC informed that Rs 6 million has been allocated for the construction of the rural municipality's administrative building and land acquisition.

Of the total budget of the municipality, Rs 584.4 million is estimated to be received from the federal government, while Rs 33.9 million is estimated to be received from the province. The municipality expects to earn Rs 35 million from its own internal sources and has also included unspent funds from the current year in the upcoming year's budget.

The municipality has decided to supplement the amount provided by the federal government for student midday meals, as the government has allocated a budget of Rs 20 per person per day. The municipality has decided to add Rs 5 to this amount.

Similarly, Rs 15.5 million has been allocated for providing minimum remuneration set by the Nepal government to early childhood development facilitators and school employees, and for the development of the educational sector. Schools that achieve 100% student pass rate in the SEE examination will be provided with Rs 500,000 in incentive grants, informed Chairperson KC.

The previous 71.43% grant for health insurance premiums for the rural municipality's citizens has been increased to 100%. Rs 7 million has been allocated for agriculture and animal development, Rs 20 million for milk, chicks, and animal husbandry grants, and Rs 5 million for the establishment and operation of a handicraft house.