Karnali Province Government Allocates Budget Against Its Own Guidelines

Surkhet. The Karnali Province Government has created the 'Project Proposal and Selection Process Procedure'. It clearly states that projects related to road and building infrastructure should not be selected for less than 5 million, and others for less than 2 million. Small irrigation projects have been kept out of this limit, which means they can be implemented at a lower cost. Furthermore, when selecting projects, the basis should be the contribution to the province's rapid economic growth, contribution to priority or comparative advantage areas, and contribution to achieving sustainable development sector goals.

According to the procedure, plans are now brought from the district level with recommendations, not through the window as in the past. Chief Minister Yamlal Kandel has also given clear instructions: 'Please pay attention to strategic projects rather than institutions, foundations, and monasteries.' The objective of the project selection procedure is for the general public to be able to demand projects according to their needs, and for middlemen and influential people to be discouraged. However, in the budget presented by Rajiv Vikram Shah, Minister of Economic Affairs and Planning of Karnali Province, for the upcoming fiscal year (2083/084), projects have been prioritized against the procedure and instructions. Projects have been selected based on the proximity of ministers, MPs, and leaders' close associates and influence, rather than the needs of the public.