KATHMANDU: With the commencement of drafting the budget for the upcoming financial year 2081-082, the Ministry of Finance has urged individuals to refrain from attending meetings at the Ministry unless absolutely necessary.

The Ministry disclosed alterations in meeting formats, emphasizing the necessity for all employees, including the Minister, to concentrate on budgeting tasks.

Finance Minister Barshman Pun formed a budget drafting committee led by Joint Secretary Dhaniram Sharma.

Committee members include Joint Secretaries Ritesh Kumar Shakya, Mahesh Acharya, Ram Prasad Acharya, Ishwari Aryal, and Parbati Sharma.

Following the Committee’s formation, budget writing commenced on Saturday, accompanied by essential directives from Finance Minister Pun.

Ministry Spokesperson and Joint Secretary Uttar Kumar Khatri advised stakeholders involved in budget preparation to schedule meetings in advance.

“During budget preparation, employees are committed from early mornings to late nights. Unnecessary gatherings hamper productivity,” Khatri stated.

“Nevertheless, not all meetings are suspended. Stakeholders requiring meetings are urged to schedule in advance.”

Khatri urged related ministries, significant government agencies, private sector representatives, and donor agency representatives to coordinate meetings only after prior scheduling.

While emphasizing the openness of government agencies in a democracy, Khatri apologized for any inconvenience caused by adjusting meeting protocols during the budget preparation period due to workload and sensitivity.

Khatri said that similar practices were adopted during past budget preparations.