Recurrent spending spikes, capex rising steadily

review of budget spending in two weeks

Recurrent spending spikes, capex rising steadily

Published On: July 5, 2018 07:48 AM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, July 5: The government’s capital spending is increasing steadily, except for few days, while recurrent spending has spiked in last two weeks, an analysis of spending figures made public by Financial Comptroller General Office shows.

Data shows spending of taxpayer’s money in development activities increased by 5.21 percentage points to 54.26 percent, or Rs 181 billion, till Tuesday compared to two weeks ago. In the first 11 months of the current fiscal year, such spending was below half of the allocated Rs 335 billion.

The government spent a little over Rs 17 billion for development activities between June 18 and July 3. During the period, the government spent Rs 30 billion for recurrent expenditure. The spending took total recurrent expenditure figures in the current fiscal year to Rs 655 billion as of Tuesday.

The spending pattern of the government shows that recurrent spending will be close to the allocation made by the government, but capital spending will fall short of the target.

The incumbent government, which came to power in February, had expressed commitment to make reforms in financial management of the government. But it has not happened.

Giving a momentum to capital spending was one of the major agendas of Minister for Finance Yuba Raj Khatiwada. But the finance ministry focused only on revenue which had slightly dwindled at that time, and made no effort to increase spending.

The government has so far mobilized a total of Rs 660 million in revenue which is 90 percent of Rs 730 billion that the government has targeted to collect.

Recurrent spending has posted a whopping growth, despite Khatiwada’s promise to lower such spending by adopting some austerity measures like controlling foreign junkets.

While issuing white paper on economic issues after assuming office at the finance ministry, Khatiwada had criticized the previous governments, accusing them of encouraging fiscal indiscipline and preparing unrealistic budget and programs.