12 Local Levels of Kailali Announce Budgets for Next Financial Year

Dhangadhi — Out of the 13 local levels in Kailali, 12 have announced their budgets, policies, and programs for the upcoming financial year, adhering to the constitutional requirement to do so before June 24.

Lamkichuha Municipality is the only local level yet to announce its budget, with a town meeting scheduled for June 25 to discuss its policies and programs. Kailali comprises one sub-metropolitan city, six municipalities, and six rural municipalities.

The collective budget announced by the 12 local levels totals approximately Rs 10.5 billion. Mohanyal Rural Municipality announced its budget on June 20, followed by Dhangadhi sub-metropolitan city on June 21. Godawari Municipality, Bardagoria Rural Municipality, and Janaki Rural Municipality revealed their budgets on June 23.

Gouriganga Municipality, Ghodaghodi Municipality, Bhajani Municipality, Tikapur Municipality, Kailari Rural Municipality, Joshipur Rural Municipality, and Chure Rural Municipality announced their budgets on June 24. Dhangadhi sub-metropolitan city has proposed a budget of Rs 2.18 billion for the next financial year, as presented by Deputy mayor Kandakala Kumari Rana in the 11th Municipal Assembly meeting.

This budget is Rs 257.4 million more than the current financial year's budget of Rs 1.938 billion. The new budget allocates Rs 1.2 billion for current expenses and Rs 982.6 million for capital expenditure, with an estimated domestic income of Rs 367.6 million. Godawari Municipality has announced a budget of Rs 1.223 billion, which is Rs 6.15 million less than the previous year.

Other announced budgets include: - Ghodaghodi Municipality: Rs 974.487 million - Gauriganga Municipality: Rs 954.5 million - Tikapur Municipality: Rs 854.4 million - Bhajani Municipality: Rs 689.76 million - Bardgoria Rural Municipality: Rs 801 million - Kailari Rural Municipality: Rs 772.1 million - Janaki Rural Municipality: Rs 685.6 million - Joshipur Rural Municipality: Rs 550.3 million

- Mohanyal Rural Municipality: Rs 538.8 million - Chure Rural Municipality: Rs 486.4 million While Dhangadhi sub-metropolitan city and Mohanyal Rural Municipality have already passed their policies, programs, and budgets for the next financial year, other local levels will finalize theirs after discussions.

Controversy in Lamkichuha Municipality Lamkichuha Municipality has faced criticism for failing to meet the June 24 deadline to present its budget. Mayor Sushila Kumari Shahi's absence due to a foreign visit to Denmark has been a major point of contention. Despite the policy and program for the next fiscal year being submitted to the city assembly, the budget remains unpresented.

Deputy mayor Juna Chaudhary reported that the policy and program were passed on June 3, but the budget presentation was delayed due to Mayor Shahi's absence and lack of delegation of responsibilities. The mayor's prioritization of her foreign visit over the municipal budget presentation has sparked significant criticism, highlighting the need for clearer delegation of duties to ensure uninterrupted municipal governance.