Far western province spends only 25 percent of budget with fiscal year nearing end

Dhangadhi: The Far Western provincial government has spent only about 25 percent of its budget for the current fiscal year 2082/83 so far. According to the Provincial Controller of Accounts Office, Dhangadhi, out of the allocated Rs 33.43 billion 21.98 million, only Rs 8.29 billion 7.694 million has been spent, representing 24.82 percent of the total budget.

With only two and a half months remaining in the fiscal year, the government is now under pressure to utilize around 75 percent of the remaining budget, amounting to approximately Rs 25.13 billion.

As in previous years, current expenditure has exceeded capital expenditure. Of the Rs 13.58 billion allocated for current expenditure, Rs 4.69 billion has been spent so far, achieving 34.56 percent progress. However, capital expenditure stands significantly lower, with only 18.16 percent of the Rs 19.83 billion allocation spent.

According to the Provincial Controller of Accounts Office, capital expenditure is limited to Rs 8.29 billion, indicating slow progress in development and construction works across the province.

The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development, which holds the largest share of the budget, has also shown weak performance. Out of more than Rs 15.28 billion allocated, only Rs 3.22 billion has been spent, reflecting 21 percent progress. This suggests that road, bridge, and other infrastructure projects are progressing slowly.

The Ministry of Social Development, which has the second-largest allocation, has spent Rs 2.24 billion out of Rs 6.94 billion, achieving 32.51 percent progress. While current expenditure in the ministry has reached 45 percent, capital expenditure remains around 15 percent.

The Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives has spent only Rs 570 million out of its Rs 3.26 billion budget, achieving 17.5 percent progress. Similarly, the Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment has spent Rs 600 million out of Rs 2.32 billion, reflecting 26 percent progress.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law has spent Rs 678 million, making 20 percent progress against its allocation. The Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers has recorded 29 percent expenditure, while the Ministry of Economic Affairs has achieved 34 percent.

Among constitutional bodies, the provincial legislature has shown relatively better progress with 53.21 percent expenditure. The Provincial Public Service Commission has spent 37 percent, and the Provincial Planning Commission has spent 27.37 percent of their respective budgets.

Out of the Rs 3.63 billion transferred to local levels, 33.85 percent has been spent. However, no expenditure has been recorded under the heading of Miscellaneous Finance and Financial Management.

Overall, capital expenditure remains significantly weaker than current expenditure. As the fiscal year draws to a close, low spending is attributed to weaknesses in project selection, delays in the contract process, administrative inefficiencies, and limited implementation capacity.

Vasudev Joshi, Chief Accountant of the Provincial Accounts Controller’s Office, said that various factors have affected budget execution. He noted that delays have occurred due to cost estimation of new programs, tender procedures, the Genji movement, expenditure reduction measures, and decisions by consumer committees not to proceed with work.

With the end of the fiscal year approaching, concerns are growing that last-minute spending may increase, which, as seen in previous years, could affect the quality of work.