So far, 61 local bodies across Nepal have not yet made their budgets for the current fiscal year public. According to the rules, local governments were required to release their budgets by Asar 10. Out of a total of 753 local bodies, 692 have already published and started implementing their budgets, says the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration.
The 61 local bodies that have not presented their budgets include two sub-metropolises and various municipalities and rural municipalities. In Koshi Province, five local bodies are behind, while Madhesh Province has 40, and Bagmati Province has five. Political disputes and local issues are cited as reasons for the delays.
Some of the notable local bodies yet to release budgets include Salpasilichho Rural Municipality in Bhojpur, Itahari Sub-Metropolis, Dharan Sub-Metropolis, Sunbarsi Municipality in Morang, and Sunkoshi Rural Municipality in Okhaldhunga. In Madhesh Province, several districts including Siraha, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara, and Parsa have multiple local bodies still pending.
In Bagmati Province, Haripur Gadhi Rural Municipality (Sindhuli), Bigu (Dolakha), Khaniyabas (Dhading), and Galchi Rural Municipality are yet to submit budgets. Lumbini Province has several local bodies pending, including Palhinandan and Pratappur Rural Municipalities in Nawalparasi, Kotahimai and Samrirmayi in Rupandehi, Shuddhodhan Rural Municipality in Kapilvastu, and Tulsipur Sub-Metropolis and Lahami Municipality in Dang. In Karnali Province, Kumakh, Chatreshwari, and Darma Rural Municipalities in Salyan district have not submitted budgets. Tikapur Municipality in Sudurpaschim Province is also pending.
As per constitutional rules, the federal government presents its budget to the joint session of parliament by Jestha 15 each year. Similarly, provincial governments present budgets by Asar 1 and local bodies by Asar 10.
