Far-Western provincial government begins consultations for upcoming budget and policy framework

Dhangadhi: The Far-Western Provincial Government has initiated preparations for the policy, programs, and budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2082/083 by engaging experts and stakeholders for input.

In the first phase of this process, the government has begun collecting suggestions from sectoral experts. A discussion program organized by the Provincial Policy and Planning Commission in Dhangadhi on Friday brought together specialists who provided recommendations for enhancing the effectiveness of the province’s policies and budget.

The provincial government has identified nine priority sectors: modernization and commercialization of agriculture, tourism development, quality physical infrastructure (energy, transport, communication, housing, drinking water, and irrigation), social development (including education, health, social security, protection, and employment), industrialization, poverty alleviation, forest and environment-friendly green development including herbal production, institutional strengthening and good governance, and development of a digital province.

Experts advised prioritizing health, education, employment, and religious and cultural tourism. They also emphasized utilizing water resources for revenue, leveraging community forests for both conservation and economic benefit, and promoting quality and employment-oriented technical education.

Additional suggestions included focusing on research and development, initiating targeted programs for youth entrepreneurs, offering concessional loans ranging from Rs. 1.1 to 2 million, and enhancing tourism promotion. Participants also called for the development of adventure and agro-tourism, streamlined tax management, support for cottage industries, production subsidies, price controls on agricultural goods, establishment of industrial corridors, and implementation of a simplified, single-point registration process for businesses.

Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah, addressing the event, assured that the suggestions would be reflected in the upcoming policies and programs. “Investment will be made in concrete areas based on the province’s capacity so that the public can directly benefit and feel the impact,” he said. He also urged experts to submit written suggestions within ten days.

The Chief Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to implementing long-term, impactful programs, institutionalizing the project bank, standardizing project designs and detailed project reports (DPRs), reducing current expenditure, and increasing capital investment.

He further emphasized that the province's upcoming policy framework would be designed to enhance internal revenue, ensure good governance in development, increase citizen participation, improve the functioning of consumer committees, and focus on people-centric, effective governance strategies.