KATHMANDU: On Tuesday, all seven of Nepal’s provincial governments submitted their budgets for the coming fiscal year 2078/79 before their respective provincial assemblies. The seven states’ combined budget is Rs. 261.86 billion.

In their budgets, all seven provinces have prioritized Covid-19 control and treatment, vaccination against it, physical infrastructure development and hospital upgrades, and education. States have also set aside funds for development, although they do not have the same lofty goals as prior budgets.

Province 1 has put a greater focus on healthcare infrastructure. All district hospitals in Province 2 will have 200 beds, according to the province. Madhesh Health Science Academy has been given a budget.

Province 3 has set aside Rs 2 billion to ensure that every individual is vaccinated against the coronavirus. Upgrades to hospitals have also received special attention.

Gandaki has committed to donate Rs 50,000 to the families of people who have died as a result of the incident. Financial support will also be provided for the deceased’s children’s schooling.

Lumbini has set aside funds for the construction of infrastructure in Dang’s Deukhuri.

Karnali has several ambitious plans in places, such as a cable car and hydropower generating. Subsidies for milk producers, one farmer receiving a golden plow, and sheep farmers receiving subsidies for sheep treatment have all been proposed.

Sudurpaschim Province has also produced a budget that places a strong emphasis on health and education. This state’s new programs include girl’s insurance and a senior citizen fund.

Bagmati has the largest budget. A budget of Rs. 57.72 billion has been proposed by Bagmati Pradesh. Three metropolitan cities, one sub-metropolitan city, 41 municipalities, and 74 village municipalities make up the 119 local levels.

Gandaki has proposed a Rs 30.39 billion budget. Out of all the seven states, this has the least budget. On the fourth day of the new government’s creation in Gandaki, the budget was presented. The state government’s plans, programs, and budget were all presented on the same day in Gandaki.

According to the 2068 BS census, Gandaki has a population of 2.38 million, with 85 local levels including one metropolis, 26 municipalities, and 58 village municipalities.

Sudurpaschim Pradesh’s budget is Rs 30.33 billion, which is Rs 300 million higher than Gandaki’s. Sudurpaschim Province has a population of 1.53 million 988 people, divided into 88 sub-metropolitan cities, 33 municipalities, and 54 village municipalities, according to Census 2068.

Lumbini has the second-largest budget. Lumbini has proposed a Rs 40.95 billion budget. Lumbini has 109 local levels, including four sub-metropolitan zones, 32 municipalities, and 73 village municipalities.

The Minister of Economic Affairs and Planning presented the budget to the state legislature for the first time this year in Lumbini. Previously, Chief Minister Shankar Pokharel led the ministry and submitted three budgets.

Province 1 has proposed Rs. 32.46 billion budget. The population of 45 lakh 34 thousand 943 people lives in 137 local level provinces 1, including one metropolis, two sub-metropolises, 46 municipalities, and 88 village municipalities, according to the census of 2068.

Province 2 has proposed Rs. 33.79 billion budget. The population is 4.592 million 434 people living in 136 local level provinces, including one metropolis, three sub-metropolises, 73 municipalities, and 59 village municipalities, according to census 2068.

Karnali has proposed a Rs 36.54 billion budget. There are 79 local levels in Karnali, including 25 municipalities and 54 village municipalities. The population was 1.555 million in 2068 BS.

The budget has set up Rs 2.61 billion for a comprehensive improvement of the province’s health system. Similarly, the government has set aside Rs 7.29 billion for the province’s infrastructure development and transportation system upgrades.

The provincial government is required by the Intergovernmental Finance Management Act, 2074 BS, to submit the budget for the next fiscal year to the state parliament by June 20.