KATHMANDU: Lumbini Province government has presented a budget of Rs 40.95 billion for the upcoming fiscal year.

Minister for Economic Affairs and Planning Baijnath Chaudhary presented the budget Tuesday prioritizing containing COVID-19 pandemic and infrastructure development as well. While presenting the budget, Minister Chaudhary shared that the government’s priority was to contain the pandemic adding that the developmental activities could be forwarded if the situation returns to normalcy.

The government has said it will upgrade the hospitals and strengthen the treatment system and manage the motivational allowances to health workers. The government has allocated Rs 50 million to run free of cost blood transfusion in governmental hospitals.

Likewise, Rs 250 million have been allocated for the upgrade of the Lumbini Province Hospital. Similarly, Rs 50 million has been allocated to construct trauma center in Lamahi Dang. Rs 20 million budget has been allocated for the Dang Provincial Ayurveda Hospital and Lumbini Ayurvedic Hospital. Likewise, Rs 680 million has been allocated to develop the internal tourism in all 12 districts in the province. The government has allocated Rs 110 million for the sustainable development of the forest in the province.

Furthermore, Rs 440 million has been allocated to improve the education in community schools. Minister Chaudhary shared that Rs 640 million has been allocated to upgrade 19 main roads networks in the province. Similarly, Rs 500 million has been allocated to construct 840 new houses after completing ongoing 772 houses construction. Minister Chaudhary shared that Rs 80 million has been allocated to make the province self-reliant in dairy product and Rs 350 million to develop smart agriculture villages in the province.