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KATHMANDU, June 25: In line with constitutional provisions, the federal government is required to present its annual budget on May 30, provincial governments on June 15, and local governments by June 24 each year. These deadlines are reinforced by the Local Government Operation Act, 2017, and the Intergovernmental Fiscal Arrangement Act, 2017.
Most local governments across the country adhered to the legal deadline and presented their budgets for the upcoming fiscal year on Tuesday, with some even doing so earlier. However, several local units failed to meet the requirement due to internal disputes or technical reasons.
118 locals units still to unveil their budget
Among the six metropolitan cities, Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) was the only one that did not present its budget on time. In contrast, Biratnagar, Birgunj, Lalitpur, Bharatpur, and Pokhara metropolitans successfully tabled their budgets within the stipulated time frame.
Despite being the federal capital and handling a budget larger than that of several federal ministries, KMC has yet to convene its municipal assembly or announce its fiscal plan. The delay is reportedly due to internal disputes, particularly between the Chief Administrative Officer—appointed by the federal government—and Mayor Balendra Shah.
No official explanation has been issued by the metropolis regarding the delay, and there has been no discussion on policies, programs, or budget planning among the city’s leadership.
Elsewhere in the country, a few other local governments have also failed to present their annual policies and programs by the deadline.
