Kathmandu metropolis prioritizes infrastructure and social development in Rs 25.76 billion budget

KATHMANDU: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has proposed a budget of Rs 25.76 billion for the upcoming fiscal year 2082/83.

Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol presented the budget during the first session of the metropolis’s 17th municipal assembly on Sunday. The budget emphasizes infrastructure development, social progress, job creation, heritage conservation, and environmental improvement.

The largest allocation, Rs 12.80 billion, or 51% of the total budget, has been set for infrastructure. This includes roads, sewage systems, public buildings, water supply, and transport management.

Social development has received Rs 5.02 billion (20% of the total budget), covering school improvement, expansion of health services, entrepreneurship programs targeting women and youth, and initiatives like “One Ward, One Enterprise.”

Governance and related sectors have been allocated Rs 3.01 billion (12%), while Rs 3.51 billion (14%) is set aside for administrative operations.

Economic development receives Rs 753 million (3%). To improve revenue collection, the city plans to identify new taxpayers through field coordination and offer a 10% tax discount for payments made by mid-Poush.

The budget also proposes collaborating with the federal government to implement a one-window system for rental tax collection.

Of the total budget, KMC expects to raise Rs 20.12 billion from internal sources and existing bank balances, Rs 4.98 billion from federal and provincial grants, and Rs 650 million in external obligations.