KATHMANDU: Discussions on the upcoming fiscal year’s budget have commenced in Kathmandu as the government engages with relevant ministries for the 2081/82 financial year.

The National Planning Commission (NPC) recently conducted talks with various ministries and agencies to establish budget priorities and allocations.

Yamlal Bhusal, the NPC spokesperson, highlighted the shift in approach, emphasizing that discussions with ministries precede the determination of budget ceilings.

In contrast to previous years, the Resource Estimation Committee, led by the Vice Chair of the NPC, will now collaborate with ministries to ensure alignment with priority plans and programs.

Bhusal explained that the budget ceiling will be based on thorough discussions addressing the specific needs and required funding for plans and programs. The analysis of current fiscal year expenditures up to mid-January will inform estimates for the next year’s budget and expenditure limits.

The NPC engaged in discussions with key ministries, including Labour, Urban Development, Forest and Environment, Health and Population, Energy, Water Resources, Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation.

Additional talks with the Office of the President, Vice President, Supreme Court, and other agencies have taken place, with further discussions scheduled for Thursday and Friday. A unilateral discussion with each ministry and agency is also planned.

Notably, the government has amended the annual budget calendar. President Ram Chandra Paudel issued an ordinance on Economic Work Procedure and Financial Accountability (first amendment), 2080, requiring the submission of budget principles and priorities three months before parliamentary presentation. The time frame for determining the budget ceiling has also been revised.

Under the amended calendar, the government must present appropriation bill principles and priorities before Falgun 15.

Subsequently, the parliament will deliberate on these for a month before forwarding suggestions to the government.

The resource estimate committee will then finalize the budget ceiling by the end of Magh, providing it to all ministries before the first week of Falgun.

Furthermore, the revised budget calendar mandates the submission of the mid-term expenditure report to all ministries before the first week of Falgun.

Meanwhile, the NPC has already solicited project and program proposals from province and local levels, with a deadline for submissions set before the end of Magh.