KATHMANDU: The government has unveiled Rs 1.647 trillion budget for the fiscal year 2021-22.

Of the budget’s total amount, Rs 678.610 billion has been allocated for recurrent expenditure while Rs 347 billion has been earmarked for capital expenditure.

Likewise, the government has allocated Rs 279.7 billion for fiscal management.

Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel presented the budget for the fiscal year at Singha Durbar on Saturday.

A cabinet meeting earlier had recommended President Bidya Bhandari to issue the budget ordinance to bring the new budget.

The cabinet meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Official residence in Baluwatar approved the budget submitted by Finance Minister Poudel before sending three ordinances to Shital Niwas for certification.

The government has allocated Rs. 26.75 billion for vaccination against coronavirus to all citizens.

Unveiling the budget for the fiscal year 2021/22, Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel informed that Rs. 26.75 billion has been allocated for the vaccination drive.

Finance Minister Poudel has said that the government will waive all taxes levied on equipment brought by hospitals for installing oxygen plants.

He also said that an arrangement has been made to provide a 50 percent subsidy to the private as well as community hospitals for installing oxygen plants.

Likewise, the government has also decided to waive the taxes on the purchase of medicines.

Meanwhile, the government has also decided to establish a 300-bed hospital in Kathmandu.

• Government allocates Rs 4 billion to procure health and medical supplies necessary to fight against COVID-19 pandemic.
• Government allocates Rs 26.55 billion for the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines.
• Government hospitals to provide free-of-cost treatment to coronavirus patients.
• To exempt customs fees and VAT on import of medical supplies related to COVID-19.
• Government allocates Rs 400 million for skill development training
• Senior citizen allowance increased to Rs 4,000 per month
• 33 percent increment in all types of social security allowances
• Allocates Rs 14 bn for the Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security
• Allocates 1.20 bn allocated for women, children and senior citizens
• Rs 7.60 billion allocated for concessional loans to farmers
• Rs 12 billion allocated to establish chemical fertilizers
• 50 percent subsidies in farm insurance premium
• Rs 45.09 billion allocated for the agriculture sector

The government has decided to provide Rs 12,000 to the health volunteers as a transport allowance.

Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel said the government has decided to increase the allowance of 55,000 health workers. Earlier, the health workers used to receive Rs 3,000 as a transport allowance.

Similarly, the government has increased the allowance given to senior citizens by 33 percent.

Announcing the budget for the coming fiscal year, Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel said that the allowance has been increased by 33 percent to Rs 4,000 per month.

The government has also made an arrangement to provide a loan of up to Rs 2.5 million on the security of educational certificates.

Making the budget for the fiscal year 2021/21 on Saturday, Minister for Finance Bishnu Poudel announced that Rs. 2.5 million on the security of educational security certificate.

Similarly, he announced that each student will be provided up to Rs 80,000 loan to procure a laptop under the condition that the loan will be cleared within two years.

Likewise, the government has allocated Rs 180.04 billion to the education sector.

Finance Minister Poudel said that Rs 180.04 billion has been allocated to the Ministry of Education.

The government has taken a policy of providing one school, one health worker, and checking the health of all students.

The budget also includes Rs. 18.34 billion under the grant to the university.