Kathmandu. Today, Finance Minister Dr. A discussion was held between Dr Swarnim Wagle and ministers and secretaries of all the line ministries regarding budget preparation for the coming fiscal year 2083/83.

Finance Secretary Dr. On the occasion, Ghanashyam Upadhyay informed that the Ministry has decided to facilitate the transfer of the amount from the thematic ministries, the source of the multi-year contract and the change in the deadline of the agreement.

On the occasion, Joint Secretary at the Budget and Programme Division, Dr Suman Dahal, briefed the gathering about the status of budget preparation for the coming fiscal year so far.

The ministers of the thematic ministries raised the issues related to the budget and programs of their respective ministries.

Speaking on the occasion, the Finance Minister said that in the context of Nepal’s public finances being in a state of crisis, we all would be tested collectively in the upcoming budget. He said it was a challenge to prepare the budget to address the aspirations of the citizens at a time when the state’s mandatory liability is Rs 1330 billion and revenue is Rs 1180 billion.

He stressed on the selection of budget and programmes keeping in mind the theoretical basis of good governance and institutional strengthening, adoption of integrity policy, economic development with wider economic growth, private investment, expansion of information technology, infrastructure development for the construction of green manufacturing capital, development of middle class, upliftment of poor class and expansion of soft power.

Finance Minister Wagle said that all the ministries are aware of the compulsion and limitations of the ministries and urged them to start the budget formulation by determining the priorities of their ministries accordingly. This is the first practice where ministers and secretaries of all line ministries have been invited to the Ministry of Finance to discuss the status of budget preparation, priorities and discipline of budget formulation.

Also present on the occasion were Vice-Chairman and Member of the National Planning Commission and Administration and Good Governance Advisor to the Prime Minister, Sudip Dhakal.