KATHMANDU, August 1: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), which could not spend even half of the budget allocated for it in the last fiscal year, has announced a budget of Rs 41 billion for the current fiscal year.

In the last fiscal year, CAAN had spent only Rs 21.32 billion out of Rs 43.67 billion allocated. This expenditure is only 48.81 percent of the total budget. The authority has spent only 13.36 billion out of 23.35 billion allocated for capital expenditure, which is only 41.70 percent of the total budget.

Similarly, Rs 4.1 billion had been set aside for operating expenses, but the actual expenditure has been only Rs 3.38 billion. This is only 62 percent of the total budget under the heading. Likewise, Rs 7.68 billion had been allocated for financial management, but only 4.7 billion has been spent, which is only 62 percent of the total budget.

Meanwhile, CAAN made an income of Rs 7.6 billion out of the proposed Rs 6.44 billion, which is 16.67 percent more than the target. In the current fiscal year, CAAN has prioritized budget and programs for airport infrastructure development, airport operation and strengthening of aviation and air safety. This includes the construction of the international terminal building and the arrival hall of the domestic terminal building at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).

In addition to this, the main programs of the budget arrangement by the authority are the compensation and distribution for the land acquired for Tribhuvan, Gautam Buddha and Pokhara international airports. It also includes the work related to the acquisition of land at the Dhangadhi and Simikot airports and the work of upgrading the 'taxiway' at the Gautam Buddha Airport.

According to Jagannath Niraula, spokesperson for CAAN, the programs set in the budget will be implemented seriously and will be completed on time. He said that all the priority projects will be completed and operated in a transparent manner.

 
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