KATHMANDU: The government arrears have reached a staggering Rs 1.18 trillion, comprising amounts owed by government offices, institutional corporations, and provincial and local governments and related bodies.

The 61st annual report of the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) stated that the last fiscal year, 2079/80 alone, witnessed arrears amounting to Rs 236 billion.

Categorically, the audit revealed that offices of federal, provincial, and local governments, along with corporations, owed Rs 669 billion.

Additional liabilities from auditing, revenue dues, and amounts to be reimbursed after settling foreign grants and loans totaled Rs 513 billion. The cumulative arrears and dues to be collected account for Rs 1.183 trillion.

In the updated arrears, federal government offices are responsible for Rs 342 billion, provincial government offices owe Rs 28.46 billion, and local government offices account for Rs 193 billion.