Far western province records decline in revenue collection, capital expenditure below 3 percent till Mangsir

Dhangadhi: The Far Western provincial government has collected about Rs 1.48 million more in vehicle tax revenue by mid-Mangsir of the fiscal year 2082/83 compared to the same period last year, but overall revenue collection and budget expenditure remain unsatisfactory.

According to a report presented by the Ministry of Economic Affairs at a review meeting on the provincial government’s annual programs, work progress, problems and challenges, held on Sunday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah, a total of Rs 261.189 million has been collected from vehicle tax up to mid-Mangsir in the current fiscal year. During the same period last year, the collection stood at Rs 259.709 million.

The report shows a significant decline in revenue from real estate registration fees. While Rs 151.770 million was collected up to mid-Mangsir last year, only Rs 82.07 million has been collected under this heading during the same period of the current fiscal year. Fluctuations have also been observed in entertainment tax, advertisement tax and income from natural resources.

Revenue from other service charges and sales has increased significantly, rising from Rs 41.1251 crore to Rs 82.356 crore. Although income from penalties, fines and forfeitures has increased, other revenue sources have declined compared to the previous year.

The provincial government had set a total revenue target of Rs 1.6071 billion for the fiscal year 2081/82 and Rs 1.65 billion for 2082/83. However, the revenue collection rate up to mid-Mangsir this year stands at only 27.42 percent, down from 30.34 percent during the same period last year. Data shows that Rs 487.623 crore was collected up to mid-Mangsir in 2081/82, whereas only Rs 452.484 crore has been collected in the same period of the current fiscal year.

Progress in budget expenditure has also remained weak. Of the total budget allocation of Rs 33.47648 crore for the current fiscal year, only 8.44 percent has been spent up to mid-Mangsir. While 16.51 percent of the current expenditure budget of Rs 13.63 billion 55 lakh 42 thousand has been spent, capital expenditure stands at just 2.89 percent of the allocated Rs 19.83 billion 5 lakh 6 thousand.

Ministry-wise data shows that the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development, which has a total budget of Rs 15.32 billion 17 lakh 41 thousand, has spent only 4.14 percent. The Ministry of Social Development has spent 13.06 percent of its Rs 7.55 billion 52 lakh 97 thousand budget, while the Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives has spent 6.76 percent of its Rs 3.27 billion 81 lakh 53 thousand budget. The Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment has spent 11.81 percent of its allocation.

Expenditure by the Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers stands at 12.08 percent, the Ministry of Economic Affairs at 18.98 percent, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law at 4.04 percent. The Provincial Legislature has spent 27.84 percent of its budget, while the Provincial Planning Commission has spent 18.97 percent. At the local level, 17.01 percent of the total budget of Rs 3.42 billion 7.7 million has been spent.

During the review meeting, Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah directed all ministries and subordinate offices to prepare clear, time-bound and result-oriented action plans within 15 days. He urged ministers and secretaries to work in coordination by clearly defining responsibilities and identifying weaknesses to boost capital expenditure and bring immediate improvements.

Chief Minister Shah emphasized that each ministry’s action plan must include clear goals, timelines, responsible bodies and expected outcomes, warning that strict accountability would be enforced against offices that fail to show progress in implementation.