KATHMANDU, Sept 28: The Open Budget Survey (OBS), 2021 findings were discussed on the occasion of the International Day for Universal Access to Information on Tuesday. 

At a program 'Access to Fiscal Information and Dissemination of OBS, 2021 Findings' held in the capital on Tuesday, various stakeholders highlighted the need for inculcating values of open budgeting and access to information for systemic changes. 

The biennial survey assesses public access to central government budget information. 

Three major aspects of open budgets: transparency of how public resources are raised and spent, opportunity for participation in budget policy decisions and oversight by legislatures and audit institutions were discussed. 

According to the 8th edition of OBS covering 120 countries, Nepal scores 39 (out of 100) in budget transparency assessment which is below the global average of 45. 

Nepal obtains 24 (out of 100) on citizen participation in the budget process and gains a composite score of 44 (out of 100) in the assessment of the strength of formal oversight institutions (legislatures and audit institutions), the biennial survey report states. 

As a keynote speaker, Chief Information Commissioner Mahendra Man Gurung stressed the urgency for a wider level of advocacy on participatory formulation of fiscal policies and their implementations at all three tiers of the government. 

He urged the civil society organizations and media to further deepen the movement of Right to Information in a way that the grassroots level people can also use the constitutionally-guaranteed fundamental right to claim the state-sponsored benefits and entitlements. 

"The analysis of sectoral budgets has become a pressing need to show transparency gaps in the budgetary allocations and spending," he said, adding the CSOs can play an effective role in gathering fiscal information and analyzing the trends in an empirical manner. 

Gurung also asked the government to assess as to how its obligations on statutory right to information have been fulfilled and seriously own the agenda for better governance. 

Likewise, Chairperson of Nepal's Federation of Right to Information, Umid Bagchand said transparency of fiscal information was weaker in province and local levels so such initiatives should also be trickled down. "There is no option but to spur information requests to make public agencies accountable to their decisions and actions." 

Former Deputy Auditor General Ramu Prasad Dotel highlighted the Office of the Auditor General's approach to enhance citizen participation in the audit process. "A small initiative can build a different image of the country. The Citizen Participation in Audit has enhanced Nepal's good image among the community of practice in the globe". 

He further noted that the OBS has shed light on the status of Nepal on budget openness so it should be taken as an empirical evidence to design and deliver reforms in different sectors of the public finance management. 

Also on the occasion, Deputy Auditor General Chandrakanta Bhandari stressed the need for implementing the statutory provisions of the laws for continuous reforms in fiscal governance. "We have a strong legal regime but the implementation aspect is withered." 

He also underscored the importance of developing the Citizen Budget which is merely a simplified presentation of the executive budget. "It is not a big deal for the government. But the need is will power." 

Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, Nirmal Dhakal underlined the need for overhauling changes in multiple sectors whether that be the state or non-state sectors. "The stakeholders should collaborate for advancing fiscal discipline coupled with value for money aiming at building a just society through budgets." 

Rekha Upadhyay from the Finance Committee of the Federal Parliament said the legislative committee would plan and place measures for improving parliamentary oversight score in the next round of budget survey. 

Taranath Dahal, Executive Chief of Freedom Forum –a host organization – expressed willingness to collaborate with the PFM stakeholders, including the Ministry of Finance to better Nepal's performance on open budgeting. 

On the occasion, Open Budget Survey Researchers Suad Hassan and Krishna Sapkota presented the OBS global, regional and national findings and recommendations.

 
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