Amid mounting public pressure, govt publicizes details of Rs 8.39 billion spent on COVID-19 response so far

Published On: June 13, 2020 12:04 PM NPT By: Republica  | @RepublicaNepal


KATHMANDU, June 13: Amid mounting pressure from the public to release the details of the expenses made so far, the government on Saturday publicized the details of Rs 8.391 billion spent in response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

According to the prime minister's Press Advisor Surya Thapa, the details of expenses made for the control, prevention  and treatment of COVID-19 were released as per the decision made by the Central Crisis Management Center, Directorate Committee, headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ishwar Pokharel. Thapa also urged all to make their opinions based on actual details.

The CCMC Directorate Committee has publicized the details of expenses made by various government agencies, money spent on procuring medical supplies including mobilization of human resources, development of quarantine facilities as well as other health infrastructures and miscellaneous expenses.

According to the details publicized by the government, seven federal ministries have so far spent Rs 4.10 billion in response to COVID-19.

While the Ministry of Health and Population has spent Rs 1.58 billion, the Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Home Affairs have spent Rs 2.40 billion and Rs 24.58 million, respectively. Similarly, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation has spent Rs 52 million, the Ministry of Urban Development Rs 26.97 million and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Rs 14.2 million so far.

The government has spent Rs 3.90 billion to buy medical supplies, Rs 1.12 billion to develop physical infrastructures, Rs 58.33 million to mobilize human resources, and Rs 135.59 millions for developing quarantine facilities. Similarly, Rs 401.59 million was spent on miscellaneous purposes, according to the details publicized by the CCMC, Directorate Committee.

Similarly, the government has also publicized the details of the expenses made by the seven provinces. Bagmati and Sudur Paschim provinces are among those provinces spending the highest amount of money in response to COVID-19. While Province 1 has spent Rs 193.56 million, Province 2 has spent Rs 133.94 million so far in response to COVID-19.

Similarly, Bagmati Province, Gandaki Province and Province 5 have so far spent Rs 136.7 million, Rs 154.21 million and Rs 77.93 million, respectively. While Karnali Province has spent Rs 239.28 million, Sudur Paschim Province has spent Rs 364.87 million so far to tackle in COVID-19 response.

But this does not include the details of the expenses made by various local bodies across the country. Government officials said they have asked all local bodies to furnish details of the expenses made so far in response to COVID-19.


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