“We failed to utilise the budget as parties failed to reach understanding”

Rukum, July 14

The budget released for various construction works in Nuwakot VDC is most likely to be frozen due to disputes among political parties in Rukum.

A budget of Rs 1 million released by the Peace and Reconstruction Ministry for the Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Programme is certain to be frozen as the parties failed to forge consensus on the location of the reconstruction activity, said District Technical Office, Rukum.

“Though we tried several times, it went in vain. We failed to utilise the budget without reaching understanding among the parties,” said engineer Nabin Shrestha.

The VDC’s attempts to purchase land became impossible due to prolonged disputes. “The budget that freezes this year is unlikely to be regained the next fiscal,” said the office.

A source at the office further said that a budget of around Rs 10 million under various other headings also is most likely to be frozen as it was released only in the first week of July.

According to engineer Shrestha, a budget of Rs 1 million each that was allocated for Pipal, Purtimkanda, Kol and Sisne VDCs and Rs 1.7 million and Rs 1.8 million allocated for Jahari Campus and Kakri Sub-health post respectively will also freeze this fiscal.

Similarly, only part of the budget allocated for Gaurikhola-Rukumkot Drinking Water Project will be utilised due to disputes among locals. Rows ensued after the locals of ward 4 did not allow water to be supplied to other ward residents.

Of the total budget of Rs 700,000, Rs 89,000 will remain unused, said Chief of District Drinking Water and Sanitation Office Division Office Bikesh Badhan Thachhe.

“If all the budget was given to the community, they would not have used any money,” he said.