Optimistic budget
The Himalayan Times
1 June 2017
Optimistic budget
It seems that the 2017/18 budget of Rs.
1,278.99 billion presented by the care taker government is too high considering
the low spending capacity of the government machinery. In the last 10 and half
months, government has been able to spend only 52 per cent of its 2016/17
budget. However, it has increased its next year’s budget by 21.9 percent higher
than this year’s budget keeping in mind the federal set up of the country in
line with the new constitution “Budget priorities federal structure” (THT, May
30, Page 1). The government deserves appreciation for its commitment to implement
the new constitution by allocating necessary budget for the rural, provincial
and central level of governments. The only concern of this huge amount of
budget is whether the nation will be able to afford at a time when it has to
fully depend on its internal revenue to be collected from different kinds of taxes
and donors contribution.
Looking at the budget, the government has
allocated enough finds for 21 national pride projects and top priority projects
considering their economical importance. More focus has been given on the post
earthquake reconstruction programme, rural network expansion, development of
energy sector and entrepreneurship development programmes. Budgets have been
allocated accordingly for the construction of Kathmandu-Tarai Fast Track,
Budhigandaki Hydropower project, postal highways and other ongoing high
priority projects. These projects and programmes will directly contribute
towards boosting the national economy.
Likewise, budgets for holding two tiers of
elections have been allocated accordingly indicating government’s sincere
commitment of implantation of new constitution by 21 January 2018. The only
concern is now that whether the ruling parties and opposition led by the UML
will be able to bring RJPN on board.
Rai Biren
Bangdel
Maharajgunj,
Kathmandu
