Govt brings partial budget, claims lack of political consnesus forced to do so

KATHMANDU – The government has proposed one-third budget for the four months of Fiscal Year 2012/013. This amounts Rs 161.24 billion.

The budget was proposed through the Ordinance in accordance with the Interim Constitution of Nepal- 2063 in order to continue government services and activities. Now, the money in the reserve fund would be used for the expenses.

The Ordinance has now given the authority to the government to manage public expenses without crossing the limit of one-third of the total expenditure of the fiscal year of 2011/012 till the Appropriation Act was brought.

However, Rs 51.29 billion will be spent from the reserve fund in the sector bearing credit in the reserve fund while Rs 161.24 billion for the service and activities.

Unveiling the one-third budget at the meeting hall of National Planning Commission in the capital today, Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun has said even the expense for constituent assembly election and allowance for voluntarily retired Maoist fighters has been managed.

According to Minister Pun, Rs 3 billion has been allocated for the CA elections while Rs 3.69 billion for allowance to the ex-combatants and Rs 3 billion for the national development and formation of directorate general for army integration.

“As it was difficult to acquire the details of real expense immediately, the amount for one third is based on estimated revised expenditure,” Minister Pun said.

The expense of the one-third budget should comply with the sub-heading of budget of the fiscal year 2011/012.


Full budget did not come due to lack of consensus

KATHMANDU: The presentation of only one-third budget for Fiscal Year 2012/13 has been taken as an initiative of the Government to open the door to a political consensus.

Talking to media persons after Finance Minister Barshaman Pun presented one-third budget for FY 2012/13 at National Planning Commission on Friday, Minister for Industry, Anil Kumar Jha said the Government could not bring the full budget due to lack of a consensus on the same among the political parties.

“Only one-third budget has been presented allowing spending only as per the budget of the current fiscal year, so we could not bring any new plan and programs”, he said.

Stating that the opposition parties did not agree to bring a full-shape budget, the Industry Minister said the economic sector cannot be developed unless the tendency to politicize the economic agenda is stopped.

Likewise, Finance Secretary Krishna Hari Banskota said the ongoing major projects and development works would continue, as provision has been made for easy flow of budget for them.

The Government shall be running its expenses through the one-third budget presented today, he added.
The Finance Secretary also said that the Government shall continue to give emphasis on the projects of national pride, the smooth functioning of civil servants, Nepali Army, Police and ongoing development projects. RSS