SURKHET: The Sudurpaschim Province government has announced a policy to prioritize the completion of provincial pride projects in the upcoming fiscal year by allocating budgets based on project prioritization procedures and the project bank system. The move also aims to make project selection more result-oriented.
Presenting the policies and programmes for fiscal year 2026/27 in the Province Assembly on Monday, Province Chief Najir Minya emphasized sectoral development projects, taking into account the achievements of the province’s first five-year plan, the goals and priorities of the second five-year plan, and the federal government’s current periodic plan. The budget will be designed to maintain balance among these frameworks.
The provincial government has stated that budget allocation, along with facilitation, coordination, and regulation, will be directed toward the timely completion of pride projects in the coming year. Except for drinking water schemes, no development project costing less than Rs 2.5 million will receive provincial funding. Such smaller-scale activities may be implemented through fiscal transfers via local governments.
The government has prioritized fiscal discipline, transparency, and efficiency in public spending, while also focusing on reducing unproductive expenditures, strengthening auditing systems, and clearing arrears.
Under its new initiatives, the province will launch a skills development drive through the ‘Province Chief Startup Programme’. It also plans to create an investment-friendly environment to strengthen the provincial economy. Road infrastructure, particularly the provincial road network and agricultural access roads, will be upgraded and expanded.
Public-private partnership has been emphasized as a key strategy to attract investment and support economic growth in the province.
Key programmes include the integrated agriculture irrigation project, continuation of citizen housing schemes, job creation and entrepreneurship promotion, the Chief Minister’s Small Industries Programme, Dasharath Chand skill-based training and capacity-building initiative, and the Dwarikadevi Thakurani women entrepreneurship programme.
The policy document also highlights the ‘Tourism Infrastructure: Basis of a Prosperous Province’ programme, aimed at expanding tourism in the region. The province seeks to develop itself as a safe and attractive destination, with planned infrastructure such as a trekking route from Api-Surma to Rama Roshan via Saipal, Khaptad, Rani Sain, and Badimalika.
Forests have been described as a key provincial asset. The ‘Chief Minister Health Sector Improvement Programme’ will focus on improving healthcare services, including efforts to address and prevent diseases such as sickle cell anemia.
Other priorities include sports development, recognition of medal-winning athletes, modernization and commercialization of agriculture, youth entrepreneurship promotion, and the introduction of farmer identification programmes across the province.
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