Municipal Budget Priorities

Most of the local bodies, considered the engine of grassroots democracy, Monday unveiled their budgets for the fiscal year 2024/25 B.S., prioritising infrastructure, publish services, mobilisation of local resources, waste management and employment generation, among others. The local governments are obliged to present their annual outlays by Asar 10 every year as per the provision of the constitution. Their estimates of incomes and expenditures aim to promote local business and sustainable growth, and harness natural resources so as to bring substantial changes to the life of the people. These budgets, ranging from Kathmandu Metropolitan City’s (KMC) substantial Rs. 25.70 billion to Siddharthanagar’s modest Rs. 1.04 billion, reflect diverse strategies of local levels striving to achieve fiscal autonomy. As they are closest to the citizens in terms of understanding local problems and finding their solutions, their budgets play a significant role in shaping the quality of life in villages and urban centres as well.