14 Municipalities Fail to Present Budget by Deadline

Kathmandu. Fourteen municipalities have failed to present their budgets within the stipulated time for the upcoming fiscal year 2083/84. According to the Nepal Municipal Association, out of a total of 293 metropolitan cities, sub-metropolitan cities, and municipalities in Nepal, 14 local levels have failed to present the policy, program, and budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2083/84 within the deadline to the Municipal Assembly. According to the report, 95 percent, or 279 local levels, have fulfilled their constitutional obligation regarding the budget on time, while the remaining 5 percent, or 14 municipalities, have failed to present the budget even after the deadline due to various internal disagreements and technical reasons. As per the legal provisions in the Constitution of Nepal, the Local Government Operation Act, 2074, and the Intergovernmental Fiscal Management Act, 2074, all local levels in the country must compulsorily present the policy, program, and budget for the upcoming fiscal year to their respective Municipal Assemblies by Ashad 10th of every year. Failure to present the budget within this deadline not only affects the annual economic plan of the local level but also creates administrative difficulties in the process of grants and revenue sharing from the federal and provincial governments. More in Madhesh A provincial review of budget presentation shows that the situation in Madhesh Province is more challenging compared to other provinces. Out of a total of 77 municipalities in this province, only 67 (87 percent) have successfully presented the budget on time, while the remaining 10 local levels have failed to present the budget. These include four municipalities in Rautahat district: Garuda, Gadhimai, Katahariya, and Fatuwa Vijaypur. Similarly, Janakpurdham sub-metropolitan city, the provincial center in Dhanusha district, along with Kamala and Bideh municipalities, have also failed to present their budgets. Likewise, data shows that Hariban Municipality in Sarlahi, Sukhipur Municipality in Siraha, and Jaleshwor Municipality in Mahottari have also failed to present their budgets within the stipulated deadline. In Koshi and Bagmati provinces, the budget presentation rate is 98 percent. Out of a total of 49 municipalities in Koshi Province, 48 have presented the budget to the Municipal Assembly on time, while only Dharan sub-metropolitan city, an important city in Sunsari district, has failed to present the budget on time this time. Similarly, in Bagmati Province, out of a total of 45 municipalities, 44 presented the budget, with only Melamchi Municipality in Sindhupalchok district failing to present the budget within the stipulated time due to technical or administrative delays. Gandaki and Sudurpashchim provinces also appear strong, similar to Koshi and Bagmati provinces. Out of a total of 27 municipalities in Gandaki Province, 26 (96 percent) have presented the budget within the deadline, except for Baglung Municipality in Baglung district. Out of a total of 34 municipalities in Sudurpashchim Province, 33 local levels (97 percent), except for Tikapur Municipality in Kailali district, have continued the practice of local self-governance by presenting the policy, program, and budget to the Municipal Assembly on time. Among the seven provinces, Lumbini and Karnali provinces have presented a positive example by achieving a 100 percent result in budget presentation. All local levels in Lumbini Province, with a total of 36 municipalities, and Karnali Province, with a total of 25 municipalities, have successfully presented their respective policies, programs, and budgets to the Municipal Assembly within the legal deadline.