SURKHET, JUNE 16

The Karnali province government has presented a budget of Rs 31. 41 billion for the financial year 2024/25.

According to the budget presented in the Provincial Assembly on Saturday, Rs. 18.75 billion has been allocated for capital expenditure, Rs. 250 million for fiscal management and Rs. 4.83 billion for local level fiscal transfers.

The budget for the new fiscal year is two billion rupees less than the current fiscal year. A budget of Rs 33 billion was presented for the current year.

Minister for Finance Mahendra KC said that the budget was introduced with the aim of realizing to the slogan of 'prosperous Karnali, happy Karnalis'.

The budget gives priority to the physical infrastructure sector with continuation of some old programs. A budget of Rs 1.16 billion has been allocated for the Chief Minister Employment Program, which has been in operation since the past. The goal is to provide partial employment to 16,000 unemployed people through the 'Poverty Alleviation and Employment Provincial Government Responsibility' program.

A total of 1.86 billion rupees has been allocated for the Ministry of Land Management and Agriculture. Likewise, Rs 140 million has been allocated to implement the master plan of tourist destinations including Rara, Kankrevihar, Bulbule Park and Syapu lake.

Likewise, Rs 1.94 billion has been allocated for the Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forests and Environment, with a focus on developing Karnali as a center for herbs and medicinal plants.

The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Urban Development has been allocated Rs 10.46 billion for the coming year.

According to the budget statement, emphasis has been placed on the formulation of laws for the protection of the languages and literature of Karnali province and the protection of art and culture.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law has been allocated Rs 296.4 million for the coming year, while Rs 100 million has been allocated for the Chief Minister's Digital Teaching and Learning Programme.

It is mentioned in the budget that one district, one enterprise development program will be implemented. An amount of Rs 10 million has been allocated for the infrastructure development of Manav Sewa Ashram.