In another challenging situation for Nepal, the Government failed to increase its capital expenditure despite extension of publication date for the budget statement for this year.<\/p>\n
Three years ago, the budget announcement date was moved from May-end to mid-July giving the government more time for budget endorsement and increasing capital expenditure. <\/p>\n
However, this move has failed with the government unable to bring the expected rise in capital expenditure.<\/p>\n
According to Nepal Finance Ministry (MoF) records, the country\u2019s capital expenditure in FY 2015-16, 2016-17 & FY 2017-18 was 59, 66 and 84 percent respectively.<\/p>\n
Despite this increase over the last three years, Nepal\u2019s FY 2015-18 capital expenditure remained at an average 69 percent (period when budget announcement date was extended). Before this period, the country recorded an average capital expenditure of 77 percent.<\/p>\n
As per the Finance Ministry, inadequate ownership in implementation was responsible for slow capital spending.<\/p>\n
\u201cBesides, problems seen in the disbursement process are also among the main causes behind the low capital expenditure,\u201d the Ministry<\/span> stated in a report submitted to the Parliamentary Finance Committee.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Revenue Secretary Shishir Kumar Dhungana identified delays in land acquisition<\/em> and delegation of authority<\/em> as key reasons for failure in proper implementation of the annual budget<\/a> despite early announcement.<\/p>\n
\u201cLack of proper preparation of the envisioned projects and government agencies demanding inflated budgets not based on actual need and capacity are among the underlying problems,\u201d said Dhungana<\/span>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Speaking about Nepal\u2019s capital expenditure this year Dhungana says,<\/p>\n
\u201cAlthough authority has been delegated to local governments to make decisions on a number of development projects, the federal government<\/span> is yet to come up with clear demarcation of the areas of expenditure.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The Solution<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Despite several attempts in the past including a \u2018time-bound action plan\u2019 implemented by the MoF, the country has been unable to enhance its slow capital spending.<\/p>\n
Continuing its efforts and coming up with a different solution this time, the Nepal Government has formed a five-member \u2018Public Expenditure Review Committee\u2019 under the leadership of Dilli Raj Khanal.<\/p>\n
Additionally, it has stipulated a Treasury Single Account system to enhance the budget disbursement pattern.<\/p>\n
The Parliamentary Committee has also given the government a budget spending time frame of 60 percent in the second quarter, 30 percent by mid-May and the remaining 10 percent in the last month of the fiscal year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In another challenging situation for Nepal, the Government failed to increase its capital expenditure despite extension…<\/span><\/p>\n