The government’s decision to dole out millions under CA members’ recommendations contradicts the ‘Working procedure on local development programs based on people’s participation-2066’. Clause 6.2 of the procedure explicitly states that budgets allocated for local development programs should be doled out under the recommendation of a committee comprising three ministers, two secretaries and other top government officials.[break]
According to a highly placed source at the Ministry of Local Development (MoLD), the government is bypassing the committee in making final preparations to dole out Rs 550 million for local development programs under the direct recommendation of CA members.
Currently, CA members of the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and Madhes-based parties are busy submitting recommendations to their respective chief whips, asking budgets for local programs.
“Chief whips of the NC, UML and Terai-based parties have been submitting proposals seeking budgets at MoLD, as recommended by CA members,” an MoLD source said.
Chief whip of the Nepali Congress Laxman Ghimire confirmed that they have been submitting proposals at MoLD seeking budgets.
But a source at MoLD said there are high chances of financial irregularities if budgets are distributed as per the wishes of CA members.
MoLD’s recent investigations at various DDCs found that millions have been embezzled.
The government had allocated Rs 450 million under the Ministry of Finance (MoF) and Rs 100 million under MoLD for local development programs for this year.
The source informed that the government is all set to dole out Rs 550 million under both MoF and MoLD. In 2066/67 budget Rs 550 million was allocated for “local development programs based on people’s participation”.
According to provisions under the procedure, such budgets can be doled out to DDCs only after a committee authorized for the purpose recommends it.
The committee comprises the minister for peace, minister for local development, secretaries at MoLD and municipalities and joint secretaries from the National Planning Commission, Department of Local Infrastructure Development and Agricultural Road and MoLD.
The committee is mandated to assess proposals submitted by various user groups at local levels and decide whether to issue sought budgets. Budgets cannot be doled out for local development programs if the committee rejects proposals.
“Bypassing the committee’s role and rights, the government is making final preparations to distribute amounts under pressure from CA members,” a source added.
Then finance minister Babu Ram Bhattarai had doled out Rs 1.12 billion while incumbent Finance Minister Surendra Pandey has doled out Rs 1.14 billion under the direct recommendation of their CA members within the past two years.
CA members of various Madhes-based parties have also demanded budget handouts under their recommendations.
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