Speaking at post-budget discussion organized jointly by the Ministry of Finance and Society of Economic Journalists-Nepal (SEJON) on Wednesday, Mahat said worries from various sectors regarding implementation of the budget were genuine.Mahat's statement about the challenge in implementation of budgetary programs has come amid concern that fund allocated for reconstruction works is not sufficient.
"I am reading and hearing comments and worries about the lack of fund for reconstruction works and implementation of the budget. These are genuine worries," Mahat said, adding, "I have allocated Rs 91 billion for reconstruction which is sufficient to meet the target of 6 percent growth." Saying that the allocation is not small, he, however, said failure in full-fledged implementation of the projects might affect anticipated results. "The real challenge is not the lack of fund, it is the implementation," he added.
Though the finance ministry has allocated funds for different projects, Mahat said the responsibility of implementation falls solely on the shoulders of concerned ministries. "Budget does not bring miracles. It only gives a framework. It is up to the state machineries, private sector and concerned stakeholders to implement the budgetary programs. The government can only create environment, devise mechanism and frame necessary laws," he added.
Minister Mahat also said that the government was ready to allocate additional budget if ministries manage to spend the allocated amount. "I want to assure that there will be no dearth of fund. Implement your programs, the finance ministry will allocate more funds," he added.
He also said that the government has introduced some measures in the budget to boost capital expenditure in the coming fiscal year. He said that the government will give approval to many projects to go for multi-year tender process. "We hope many projects will go for multi-year tender in this fiscal year and will go for implementation in the next year," he added.
Minister Mahat also said the finance ministry will give authorization for spending to the ministries on July 17 to overcome the problem of delay in implementation of the projects due to late authorization for spending. "These ministries should also immediately give authorization to chiefs of the projects for speedy implementation of the project," he added.
Appointing CEOs of national pride projects through competitive process and discouraging frequent transfer of CEOs, among other measures, have been introduced to avoid delay in project implementation, Mahat added.
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