JAJARKOT: Only three local levels, out of eight, in Dolpa have brought the budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2019/2020. The local governments coming up with the budget within the deadline are Jagdulla, Mudkechula and Tripura Sundari Rural Municipalities. The remaining five levels could not announce it as local level representatives have been in Patan since a month in course of picking up Yarsagumba, a precious herb.
Local representatives have gone for collecting Yarsagumba (caterpillar fungus) in the highlands while the administrative officers and accountants are staying in the district headquarters, said a local civil society leader Sher Bahadur Budha. Dolpa’s Chief District Officer Mukesh Kumar Kesari also admitted the five local governments could not bring the budget on time.
Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) Dolpa former chair Bishnulal Budha accused the local governments of not preparing and announcing budget on time, citing multiple reasons. Chharkatangsong Rural Municipality chair Senang Gurung said internal preparations had been over for the budget, it would take few more days for the announcement.
Chhharkatangsong, Dolpobudhha, Kaike and Shey Phoksundo Rural Municipalities, and the Thulibheri Municipality are yet to bring their annual budget and policy and program. Rural Municipality’s accountant and administrative officer have been in Dunai to make payments for the development works in the Upper Dolpa as the area has no banking facilities at the local level. According to chair Gurung, Yarsagumba pickers are on the way back to home.
The entire settlement has become almost deserted as people have thronged Patan to collect the plants. There is a possibility of unveiling the budget by coming July 10, he said. Dolpobudhha Rural Municipality chief administrative officer Manchandra Dharala shared that the Yarsa picking season has its impact on the calendar of local governments here.
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