Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Despite the requirement for local units to submit their budgets for the new fiscal year 2023/24 by June 24, 154 local units have not yet provided their budget details to the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration.
Out of the 753 local units across the country, only 599 have submitted their budget details to the ministry within the specified timeframe.
The majority of the local units that have failed to furnish their budget details to the ministry are from Madhesh Province. According to the ministry, 63 local units in Madhesh Province have yet to submit their budget details. Similarly, 29 local units from Koshi, 24 from Bagmati, 14 from Lumbini, 13 from Sudurpashchim, and seven from Gandaki have not yet submitted their budget details either.
Ministry officials say although some local units have already presented their fiscal budget, they have not updated the details in the ministry’s online system. They estimate that only around 20 local units have not been able to present their fiscal budget at all.
Issuing a circular to all local units on Sunday, the ministry requested them to update the details of the budget approved by their respective municipal and village legislatures in the ministry’s online system.
According to Section 71 of the Local Government Operation Act, 2017, local units are required to pass budgets presented in village and municipal legislative meetings by mid-July. The ministry has also instructed local units to update their budget details even if they are yet to be endorsed by their respective village and municipal legislatures.
