Sudurpaschim Province Government Spends 62.26% of Budget in FY 2082/83

Kailali. The Sudurpaschim Province government has spent only about 62.26 percent of the budget allocated in the fiscal year 2082/83. While the expenditure on the current account has been relatively satisfactory, the capital expenditure, which is directly linked to development construction and project implementation, has been limited to below 60 percent.

According to the details received from the Province Treasury Comptroller Office, the provincial government has spent Rs 20,815,111,062 out of a budget of Rs 33,432,533,000. This is 62.26 percent of the total budget. Of this, Rs 13,592,847,400 was allocated for current expenditure, of which Rs 9,248,638,937, or 68.04 percent, has been spent.

Similarly, Rs 19,829,686,000 was allocated for capital expenditure, of which Rs 11,566,472,012, or 58.33 percent, has been spent.

On a ministry-wise basis, the Ministry of Social Development has spent 71.53 percent overall, with 76.35 percent on current expenditure and 63.61 percent on capital expenditure. The ministry was allocated Rs 4,116,054,400 for current expenditure and Rs 2,507,294,117 for capital expenditure.

Following that, the Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment has spent 71.46 percent, with 68.89 percent on current expenditure and 73.67 percent on capital expenditure. This ministry was allocated Rs 1,025,656,375 for current expenditure and Rs 1,195,314,986 for capital expenditure.

Similarly, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development has spent 60.05 percent, with 65.10 percent on current expenditure and 59.84 percent on capital expenditure. This ministry was allocated Rs 6,002,064,700 for current expenditure and Rs 1,468,423,000 for capital expenditure.

The Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives has spent 58.68 percent overall, with 59.50 percent on current expenditure and 51.76 percent on capital expenditure. The Chief Minister and Council of Ministers has spent 51.80 percent overall, with 51.54 percent on current expenditure and 52.98 percent on capital expenditure.

Similarly, the Ministry of Economic Affairs has spent 52.05 percent overall, with 53.98 percent on current expenditure and 38.31 percent on capital expenditure, and the Ministry of Home Affairs and Law has spent a total of 30.76 percent, with 29.43 percent on current expenditure and 31.72 percent on capital expenditure.

The Law Ministry, which had the lowest expenditure, was allocated Rs 1,432,407,800 for current expenditure and Rs 1,974,403,000 for capital expenditure.

According to the provincial agency-wise details, the Province Legislature received the highest budget allocation of Rs 191,576,187, of which 73.18 percent has been spent, with 75.39 percent on current expenditure and 56.18 percent on capital expenditure.

Similarly, the Province Public Service Commission was allocated a budget of Rs 119,550,000, of which 56.43 percent was spent on current expenditure and 99.77 percent on capital expenditure, while the Province Policy and Planning Commission was allocated Rs 59,443,000, of which 49.66 percent was spent on current expenditure and 78.12 percent on capital expenditure.

The Province Treasury Comptroller Office's data shows that out of the Rs 3,639,550,000 allocated by the province for local levels, Rs 2,749,512,357, or 75.55 percent, has been spent.

Treasury Comptroller Basudev Joshi stated that the overall capital expenditure of the provincial government has been limited to below 60 percent due to the lack of expected progress in infrastructure development, ongoing projects, and the implementation of development programs. He mentioned that the trend of current expenditure being normal and capital expenditure being weak, as seen every year, has been repeated this year.

Treasury Comptroller Joshi said, "Based on previous years, our overall expenditure capacity is on average 60 to 70 percent, and capital expenditure is below 60 percent. Last year, overall expenditure was 69 percent and capital expenditure was around 67 percent, but this year there seem to be some problems due to the Janji movement, staff shortage, and other reasons."

He expressed confidence that the province's capital expenditure can be significantly improved by allocating budgets to well-prepared plans, timely implementation, improving procurement and contract management processes, and making project management effective.