- Saturday, 30 August 2025
Kathmandu, May 29: The government has projected an economic growth rate of 6 per cent in the Fiscal Year 2082/83 BS.
Unveiling the annual budget at the joint session of the Federal Parliament today, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel said that the government’s annual policy and programmes and the budget’s programmes announced for the upcoming fiscal year would contribute to achieve the target of 6 per cent of economic growth rate.
Likewise, the Finance Minister announced to maintain the 5.5 per cent of inflation in the upcoming fiscal year.
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31- Budget to Labour and Employment Ministry slashed by 47 percent
Kathmandu, May 29: The government has heavily reduced the budget to the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security. The budget presented for the fiscal year, 2025/026 reduced nearly half amount to the ministry as compared to the previous allocation.
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel presented the budget in the joint session of the federal parliaments today. He informed that the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security was allocated Rs 4.28 billion, while all sorts of social security were allocated Rs 109 billion.
In the last fiscal year, government had allocated Rs 8.10 billion to the ministry. With this, the present allocation is the reduction by 47.17 percent.
Unveiling the budget, the Minister said youths would be capacitated as per need of labour market in order to sustainably resolve the employment problems. He shared that government allocated Rs 1.99 billion to run the national employment promotion programme for the coming fiscal year. An employment portal would be launched and every province will have an employment fair.
Similarly, bilateral labour agreements would be made with various countries through diplomatic channels for the diversification of labour destination.
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32- Size of new budget is Rs 1964.11 billion
Kathmandu, May 29: The government has announced the new budget of Rs 1964.11 billion for the fiscal year 2082/83 BS.
Unveiling the annual budget at the joint session of the Federal Parliament today, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel tabled the budget for the FY 2082/83 with the size of Rs 1964.11 billion.
“For the upcoming FY, Rs 1180.98 billion (60.1%) is allocated for recurrent expenditure while Rs 489 billion (20.8%) is allocated for capital expenditure, and Rs 375 billion (19.1%) is allocated for fiscal management,” Finance Minister Paudel stated while reading out the annual budget.
The size of the upcoming FY is higher than 5.6 per cent compared to the current fiscal year’s allocation and 18.2 per cent higher compared to the revised one.
Of the total allocation, Rs 417.83 billion is allocated for fiscal transfer for the provinces and local governments.
According to the Finance Minister, Rs 1315 billion would be managed for the revenue collection and Rs 53.45 billion from the foreign grants. Likewise, Rs 595.66 billion would be managed from loans including Rs 362 billion from internal loans and Rs 233.66 billion from foreign loans, Minister for Finance Paudel announced in the Federal Parliament meeting today.
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33- Rs 3,000 dearness allowance added per month to govt employees
Kathmandu, May 29: The government has decided to increase the monthly dearness allowance to civil servants by Rs 3,000, now reaching Rs 5,000. It was announced by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel while unveiling the budget for the fiscal year, 2025/026 today.
He mentioned that pressure on resource management had hindered increasing salaries of the civil servants. Presenting the annual revenue and expenditure estimate (budget) for the upcoming fiscal year, 2025/026 in the joint session of the federal parliament today, Paudel admitted, “Although there was a need to increase incentives to the civil servants in a timely manner, the pressure on resource made it impossible to increase salaries as expected.”
34- Finance Minister Paudel tables budget at National Assembly
Kathmandu, May 29: Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel tabled the annual revenue and expenditure estimates (budget) for the fiscal year 2025/026 at the meeting of the National Assembly on Thursday.
Finance Minister Paudel had presented the budget for the fiscal year, 2025/026, in the joint session of the federal parliament. The next meeting of the National Assembly will be held on June 3.
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35- Rs 1 billion allocated as transitional fund
Kathmandu, May 29: The government has allocated Rs 1 billion to establish a fund for investigation, relief and compensation of incidents that took place during the armed conflict.
In the budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2082/83 presented by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Bishnu Prasad Poudel in the federal parliament today, it is mentioned that Rs 1 billion has been allocated to establish the fund. “Arrangements will be made to provide free treatment to the injured, people with disabilities and the destitute in government hospitals, while the remaining work related to the peace process and transitional justice will be completed during the years,” reads the budget statement.
Furthermore, the constitution will be amended on the basis of political consensus and the federal democratic republic will be further strengthened by increasing the people’s ownership and linkage with the constitution.
Information technology will be used to the simplify the judicial system and make it easy, accessible, fast and effective, and a free legal aid program focused on the target group will be launched to establish equal access to justice for all.
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36- Additional 100 electric buses for Sajha Yatayat
Kathmandu, May 29: In the upcoming fiscal year 2082/83, an additional 100 electric buses will be made available for Sajha Yatayat Limited.
In today’s joint session of the Federal Parliament, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel stated in his budget speech that more electric buses will be allocated to Sajha to make the transportation system in the Kathmandu Valley environmentally friendly. “Modern technology will be used to measure vehicle pollution,” he said. “Mass transport will be promoted in urban areas to manage the passenger load on public transportation.”
The budget mentions the operation of refresher centers to reduce road accidents, regular testing arrangements for all types of vehicles, and timely implementation of third-party insurance.
Minister Paudel stated that the use of electric vehicles will be encouraged to be reliable, high-quality, and sustainable, and the private sector will be attracted to establish charging stations and workshops. “Investment from the private sector will be attracted to operate smart public transportation in Kathmandu Valley and other major cities.”
A Public Transport Authority will be established. Arrangements will be made for the distribution of driver’s license at the provincial level,” he said. “Feasibility studies will be conducted for options such as metro rail and monorail to modernize and organize public transportation in the Kathmandu Valley.”
National road safety standards will be set to reduce human and material losses caused by traffic accidents. The budget also includes provisions to ensure emergency services such as helicopters, specialized ambulances, and trauma care for rapid rescue on major highways.
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37- Rs 18.5 billion for post-disaster reconstruction
Kathmandu, May 29: The government has allocated Rs 18.5 billion for the post-disaster reconstruction works for the fiscal year 2082/83 BS.
Unveiling the annual budget at the joint session of the Federal Parliament today, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel said that the amount has been allocated for the reconstruction of private houses, schools, public infrastructures, and archeological and cultural heritages damaged in earthquakes and monsoon-induced disasters in the upcoming FY.
The budget has stated that risk reduction would be ensured by developing the early-warning system and in capacity building of human resources to be deployed in disaster management and response.
Likewise, Minister Paudel stated that the scope of property insurance will be expanded to protect property from being damaged from the natural disasters and accidents.
As announced by the Finance Minister, the insurance companies would be directed to expand their services up to the rural level.
Similarly, cyber security insurance service will be run in the upcoming FY.
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38- Rs 118.34 billion allocated for Ministry of Urban Development
Kathmandu, May 29: The government has allocated Rs 118.34 billion for the Ministry of Urban Development for the coming fiscal year.
Presenting the budget for fiscal year, 2025/026 in the joint session of the federal parliament on Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel made such announcement. As per budget announcement, the government will ensure constitutional right of safe housing to citizen, link urban development with production increase, business expansion and employment opportunities.
“Citizen’s access to land acquisition and finance would be guaranteed for the development of integrated housing. The collective and integrated housing would be established and run by the private sector,” Paudel said, adding that feasibility study would be conducted for the establishment of smart cities and eco-villages.
Similarly, the settlements which are scattered and at risk will be relocated to safer places. The original form of the settlements would be promoted, he said, allocating budget for preservation and infrastructure building at various 50 settlements.
Public-private partnership would be adopted to develop well managed cities. Land development project will be run in the four outskirts of the Kathmandu Valley (east, west, south and north), Minister Paudel shared.
The concept of utility corridor would be enforced by increasing quality in basic service and beautification of the major cities in the Kathmandu Valley.
An exhibition centre of international standard would be established at Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, while the Bhanu Literary Garden at Chundiramgh of Tanahu will be upgraded. Similarly, there will be Jaharsingpauwa stadium and Ganeshman Singh Park at Shankharapur, Kathmandu.
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39- Postal Highway to be completed within two years
Kathmandu, May 29: The government aims to complete the construction of the Postal Highway within the next two years.
The budget statement for the upcoming fiscal year 2082/83 presented in both houses of the federal parliament today states Rs 3.56 billion has been allocated for completing the construction of the Postal Highway and strengthening the economic development and interconnection of the Tarai Madhesh.
Likewise, the construction of the Kathmandu-Tarai Madhesh Expressway will be completed within the fiscal year 2083/84 along with the Aanbukhaireni-Pokhara road section that will be upgraded to four lanes.
Similarly, the Rani-Itahari, Birgunj-Pathlaiya, Belahiya-Butwal, Mohanapul-Attariya, etc., connecting the border checkpoints from the East-West Highway through the district headquarters of Tarai Madhesh will be completed in the next one year. Furthermore, the construction and upgrading work of the Karnali, Kaligandaki and Koshi corridors will be accelerated.
Similarly, Rs 2.51 billion has been allocated for the construction of the Madan Bhandari Highway, which connects Bahundangi in Jhapa to Rupal in Dadeldhura.
Budget arrangements have been made for the upgrading of Surkhet-Khulalu-Kalikot-Jumla road and Surkhet-Mahabulek-Nagma-Gamgadhi road under the Karnali Highway. Talcha-Rara road will be blacktopped.
Funds have been allocated to continue works on the Tamor Corridor, Damak-Chisapani Road, Bheri Corridor, Dumre-Besisahar-Chame Road, Kakrahawa-Saljhandi-Sandhikharka-Dhorpatan Road, Ratna Highway, Rapti Highway, Khutia-Dipayal road.
A budget of Rs 1.24 billion has been allocated to continue the upgrading work of Kalanki-Basundhara-Dhobikhola road section of Kathmandu Ring Road. The disaster-damaged roads including BP Highway, Araniko Highway, Kanti highway and Mechi Highway shall also receive funds.
According to the budget statement, resource management and other preparations will be taken forward to construct the tunnel routes including Dumkibas-Bardaghat, Khurkot-Chiyabari, Babai-Chhinchu, Majhimtar-Shaktikhor, Hemja-Nayapul, Kulekhani-Bhimphedi and Dharan-Leuti. Feasibility studies of Tokha-Chhahare, Shivapur-Bhaluwang, Ranighat-Bhurigaun, Dolalghat-Charnawati and Hattisar-Babai tunnel routes will be completed.
Similarly, a detailed study will be conducted next year to construct an electric railway of standard gauge standards based on the East-West Highway. The railway route of the Bardibas-Nijgadh section under construction will be made in accordance with the standards of the East-West Electric Railway.
A detailed project report of the Kathmandu-Kerung Railway will be prepared in the coming fiscal year. The budget statement states that preparations will be started for the construction of a railway connecting the southern border points of Newjalpaiguri-Kakadbhita, Nautanwa-Bhairahawa and Nepalgunj Road-Nepalgunj. Inland water transport will be developed, expanded and promoted based on feasibility. Necessary preparations will be made to operate water transport through major rivers of Nepal including Koshi and Gandaki to the Kolkatta port.
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40- Business entities welcome budget
Kathmandu, May 29: Private sector has welcomed the budget the government unveiled for the fiscal year, 2025/026 in the joint session of the federal parliament on Thursday. The issues addressed by the budget are laudable, the business entities added.
President of the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Chandra Prasad Dhakal, observed, “The budget is encouraging to private businesses. The issues FNCCI suggested for like promotion of investment, mines and export were included in the budget.”
Dhakal said it was a welcome move to empower investment board.
Similarly, Chairman of Nepal Chamber of Commerce, Kamlesh Kumar Agrawal, responded that the suggestions the Chamber furnished to the government were incorporated in the budget. “I take this budget as an ambitious one. However, most of the points the business entities chipped in were included. Both suggestions and demands are there in the budget, so the allocation system is impressive despite present adversity. Even the revenue projection sounds well,” he analyzed.
Moreover, Senior Vice Chairman of the Chamber, Dipak Malhotra, also hailed the budget saying that the points suggested by private sector were included in the budget.
Lumbini Province Chair of Nepal Chamber of Commerce, Tanka Prasad Pokharel, viewed the private sectors’ demands were duly heard in the budget brought at such time of pressure. “Private sector is spirited; budget is positive and it has emphasized entrepreneurship,” he commented.
Former Chair of the Chamber, Rajendra Malla said it was good to address IT sector by the budget.
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41- New budget is continuity of the past: Main opposition party
Kathmandu, May 29: The main opposition party CPN (Maoist Centre) leader, Janardan Sharma, has criticized the new budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2082/83 BS terming it just a continuation of the past ones.
There is no fundamental change except the continuation of the process, Maoist Centre’s Sharma added.
Some concerns of the private sector have been addressed as reported, which is positive, the former finance minister added.
In terms of resources, the situation of revenue collection and expenses is pathetic, Sharma viewed.
Saying that mere continuation of the budget was not sufficient to ensure a shift in the country’s economy, Sharma stated that the modality of the economic development should be changed to make it production-oriented. “Now, this is not focused. Country’s development cannot make a jump until we created a situation to run the country with own production, not in revenue collection and remittances inflow,” according to Maoist Centre’s leader Sharma.
He also stated that the budget has not well incorporated the issues of people’s livelihood and has not offered any concrete agendas of health care, education and employment generation.
However, chair of Finance Committee of the House of Representatives (HoR) Santosh Chalise termed the upcoming fiscal year’s budget as outstanding adding that it has prioritized agriculture, eco-tourism, energy and youths.
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42- Free visas for foreign students
Kathmandu, May 29: The government is going to provide free visa to foreign students coming to study in Nepal.
This proposal has been made in the budget for the fiscal year 2082/83 presented by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Poudel in the federal parliament today.
This is the first time that visa-free arrangements are being facilitated for foreign students coming to study in Nepal. This is expected to encourage foreign students coming to study in Nepal.
The government has adopted a policy to attract foreign students to different universities in the country.
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43- Nepal to be developed as FDI destination
Kathmandu, May 29: The government has announced to development Nepal as the best destination of foreign direct investment (FDI). Double taxation avoidance agreement would be made with the countries which are ready to make investments.
Such announcement was made during the budget speech the Finance Minister made in the joint session of the federal parliaments on Thursday. For this to happen, the procedure to bring in foreign investment and return of profit would be made easier. A policy of anchor investment would be adopted to project foreign investment as a national priority.
Presenting the budget for the fiscal year, 2025/026, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Poudel announced, “The companies that construct industrial estate will be provided facilities equal to hydropower producing companies, and special economic zones. Such industries will be provided 50 percent discount in monthly fare.”
The Minister has allocated Rs 1.55 billion for the construction of industrial infrastructures.
“The industries being operated in the Kathmandu Valley will be shifted outside the valley in a bid to encourage pollution reduction in the Kathmandu Valley. Such industries will be provided land free of cost outside,” he shared.
Legal reform will be continued for public-private partnership, an automated single point service centre set up under the Investment Board, and viability gap funding managed to attract investment in priority areas, according to budget speech.
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44- Gender and sexual minority integration programs to be launched
Kathmandu, May 29: The government is going to launch empowerment, awareness and social integration programs for gender and sexual minorities to help them lead a life with dignity.
Presenting the budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2082/083, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Poudel today announced the government’s plan to continue the national campaign to rescue and rehabilitate street children.
Provisions will be made for the protection, family reunification, social rehabilitation and alternative care of abandoned and orphan children. The capacity of child reform homes will be expanded with sychosocial and career counseling, and he child helpline service will be linked to the Nagarik app,” the budget statement said.
The national identity card distribution system will be systematized by updating the criteria for identifying and classifying people with disabilities. The government plans to make public services disability-friendly and expand community-based rehabilitation services for the destitute, disabled and completely disabled.
A zero-tolerance policy will be adopted towards all forms of violence and harassment against women, including acid attacks.
The government also plans to complete the construction of Women, Children and Senior Citizen Service Centers and establish rehabilitation centers for women survivors of violence in Madhes, Sudurpaschim and the Kathmandu Valley.
Similarly, the government has put forward a plan to restructure the Social Welfare Council and the National Child Rights Council, mobilize non-governmental organizations according to national priorities and local needs, and make the documentation, monitoring and evaluation system of programs run by national and international non-governmental organizations effective.
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45- OPMCM to be developed as a Center of Excellence
Kathmandu, May 29: The government is to develop the Office of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers as a Center of Excellence to increase the effectiveness of public services and make development result-oriented.
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Poudel, while presenting the budget for the fiscal year 2082/83 in the federal parliament today, said that the unbundling report will be reviewed in accordance with the list of powers of the federal, provincial and local levels mentioned in the constitution.
The government plans to reform the existing laws to maintain uniformity among the laws of the three tiers of government and to implement policy, legal and institutional reforms under the guidance of the High-Level Governance Reform Commission.
The capacity of the Citizens App will be expanded and public services will be made simple, easy and economical by linking them to the Citizens App. Arrangements will be made to use the National Identity Card in all types of public and financial transactions including banking, insurance, telecommunications, securities, and no fee will be charged for using the National Identity Card Management System.
In the new FY, the government plans to increase the credibility of elections by linking voter ID cards to national identity cards, starting with the Kathmandu Valley.
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46- Four ministries get Rs 100 billion plus budget each for upcoming FY
Kathmandu, May 29: The government has allocated the highest amount of budget for the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology for the upcoming fiscal year 2082/83 BS.
In the upcoming FY’s budget unveiled today by Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel, the government has allocated Rs 211.17 billion which includes the budget of different academic institutions, salary of schoolteachers and officials, cost of mid-day meal for students and several other headings.
Likewise, Rs 152 billion has been allocated for the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport for the implementation of the major infrastructure-related projects across the country.
Similarly, the Ministry of Urban Development has received Rs 118.34 billion. The Finance Minister has been allocated Rs 95.81 billion.
The other ministries getting hefty amount of budget for the project implementation in the upcoming fiscal year include Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Drinking Water and Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development too.
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47- Continue clean Sagarmatha campaign: PM Oli
Kathmandu, May 29: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said the campaign to keep Sagarmatha clean needs continuity.
In his address to the 72nd International Sagarmatha Day celebration function here Thursday, PM Oli viewed existing legal provisions could be amended for the garbage management in the Sagarmatha region. Government is doing homework to this end, he added.
Polluters need to pay, he said, adding that even a bill has been tabled at National Assembly regarding this. The bill could, however, be made effective after holding discussion with diverse stakeholders, according to the PM.
PM Oli further said Sagarmatha’s pristine features count much. The climbing should be fair, he added.
The event was also attended by Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Badri Pande, and Chief Minister of Koshi Province, Hikmat Karki, among others.
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