.jpeg)
Nepal Initiates Inter-Ministerial Consultations for Realistic and Disciplined Budget
The Ministry of Finance has commenced inter-ministerial consultations to prepare the budget for the fiscal year 2082/083 (2025/2026). On March 5, 2025, the Ministry engaged in discussions with the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, along with its affiliated departments and agencies.
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel emphasized the government's commitment to formulating a disciplined and realistic budget. He noted that a practical budget would minimize the need for mid-term adjustments and ensure smoother implementation.
Minister Paudel highlighted the importance of aligning the budget with federal principles, considering the roles of federal, provincial, and local governments. He stressed that coordination among ministries and agencies is vital for fostering a sense of ownership and ensuring effective budget execution.
Prioritizing post-disaster reconstruction, Minister Paudel advocated for a dynamic and effective budget. He called for the inclusion of only implementable projects, urging ministries to:
Avoid dispersing resources across numerous small projects.
Reduce the number of ongoing projects.
Exclude projects with low priority or feasibility.
Propose new programs only if preparatory work is complete.
Ensure proposed projects are registered in the National Planning Commission's project bank.
The consultation was attended by Physical Infrastructure and Transport Minister Devendra Dahal, National Planning Commission Vice-Chairman Dr. Shivaraj Adhikari, Finance Secretary Ghanshyam Upadhyaya, Revenue Secretary Dinesh Kumar Ghimire, and Physical Infrastructure and Transport Secretary Keshav Kumar Sharma.
These discussions mark a significant step toward formulating a budget that is both disciplined and grounded in reality, aiming to enhance the effectiveness of public spending in Nepal.
