Key Takeaways:

• Rs2.76 billion budget approved, including Rs2.47b for municipal executive
• Rs1.40b projected from internal revenue, the largest single source
• Federal grants: Rs661.9m, provincial grants: Rs91.66m, revenue sharing: Rs328.81m
• Acting Mayor Aindra Bikram Begha calls for cooperation to ensure delivery

DHARAN, AUGUST 14 Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City has approved a Rs 2.76 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year, with the local government expecting more than half of the funds to come from its own internal revenue. The municipal assembly on Thursday approved Rs 2.76 billion in total, including Rs 2.47 billion for the municipal executive and Rs 287.01 million for ward-level programmes. The municipality has projected Rs 1.40 billion in internal revenue, making it the largest source of the budget. It expects Rs 661.9 million in federal grants, Rs 91.66 million in provincial grants and Rs 328.81 million through revenue sharing. The remaining resources are expected to come from the Road Board and the previous year's balance, estimated at Rs 10 million and Rs 50 million, respectively. Acting Mayor Aindra Bikram Begha, who presented the budget, said the municipality aims to improve development work and make public service delivery more systematic through effective implementation of the programmes. The budget was formulated based on recommendations from the Revenue Advisory Committee, Resource Estimation and Budget Ceiling Determination Committee, thematic committees and ward committees. Begha called for cooperation from elected representatives, municipal employees, media and other stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of the budget.