Himal Press 
POKHARA: Pokhara Metropolitan City has unveiled a budget of Rs 8.35 billion for the upcoming fiscal year 2025/26.
Deputy Mayor Manju Devi Gurung presented the budget during the 17th Municipal Assembly in Pokhara on Sunday.
The metropolis plans to cover its expenditure through Rs 3.01 billion in federal grants and Rs 5.23 billion in internal revenue.
Of the internal revenue sources, Rs 3.24 billion will be generated through local revenue mobilization. Additionally, Rs 1.01 billion will come from local revenue sharing, Rs 42.87 million from provincial revenue sharing, Rs 330.84 million from federal revenue sharing, Rs 528.7 million from federal equalization grants and Rs 81.55 million from provincial grants.
The metropolitan city has allocated Rs 310.2 million for the health sector, Rs 1.73 billion for education, Rs 2.33 billion for physical infrastructure, and Rs 380 million for urban development, tourism, forestry and environment. Furthermore, Rs 14.4 million has been earmarked for the judicial committee to improve its functioning, draft laws and raise public awareness.
The budget prioritizes the development of tourism infrastructure in Pokhara, the country’s tourism capital, alongside the promotion of productive and commercial agriculture, scientific waste management to reduce pollution, and the protection and productive use of public property. The new budget has also emphasized the need for a well-managed, civilized and culturally enriched urban environment.
Additional priorities include building a just and inclusive society through gender integration and participatory development, ensuring access to basic education and healthcare and advancing green, resilient and sustainable infrastructure. The budget also focuses on tourism promotion, environmental conservation, waste management, inclusive and balanced development, institutional strengthening, promotion of good governance, quality public services, self-employment, entrepreneurship and commercial agricultural systems.
Earlier in the session, Mayor Dhanraj Acharya presented the policy and program for the upcoming fiscal year.
