National
KMC stumped by ‘unrealistic’ budget proposed by its wards
The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) could not unveil its fiscal budget as planned on Friday because the 32 wards had reportedly presented proposal budget that was well beyond reason.The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) could not unveil its fiscal budget as planned on Friday because the 32 wards had reportedly presented proposal budget that was well beyond reason.
A single ward had reportedly proposed for an unrealistic budget of up to Rs 500 million.
Nawaraj Dhakal, administrative officer at the KMC, said the budget unveiling was delayed due to lack of preparations.
He added that the budget was being finalised and it shall be unveiled at a press meet. He, however, did not specify when.
A source at the KMC told the Post that it was the inflated budget proposals from the 32 wards that stumped the officials at the metropolis that had planned to unveil its budget for the fiscal year 2017-18 on Friday itself.
The first municipal council of the KMC held on Friday at the City Hall in the Capital was supposed to announce the annual plans and programmes, and unveil the fiscal budget.
Mayor Bidya Sundar Shakya presented the annual plans and programmes at the event, but did not say anything about the fiscal budget.
The source said that the KMC’s fiscal budget could be in the range of Rs 10 billion to Rs 15 billion. Mayor Shakya has unveiled 19-point plans and programmes for the new fiscal year, including free health care and social benefits for elderly and poor, road and transportation infrastructure overhaul, programmes to preserve and promote arts and culture, rebuilding earthquake-affected heritage sites, reducing pollution by adopting clean technology.