Gandaki province places priority on agriculture

Gandaki, June 16 :  The Gandaki province has unveiled its budget placing emphasis on different sectors, including agriculture.     

Presenting the budget for the fiscal year 2080/81 at the Gandaki province assembly on Friday, Minister for Economic Affairs Jeet Prakash Ale said the budget has focused on boosting production and productivity and transforming agriculture sector.     

The budget amounting to Rs 32 billion 427.2 million has put priority on tourism promotion, industrial development and employment generation, health service improvement and healthy life assurance and quality infrastructure development.     

Among other priorities included in the budget are building well-cultured society through education and social development, law and order and disaster risk management, citizens' access to quality health service, corruption control and good governance promotion.     

Of the appropriated budget, the province government has earmarked Rs 12 billion 736.73 million (38.1 percent) towards recurrent expenses, Rs 20 billion 190.46 million (60.4 percent) towards capital expenses and Rs 500 million (1.5 percent) towards financial management.     

Members from the ruling parties said the province budget was pro-people and prepared in a way to address the basic needs of the people. However, members from the opposition parties said the budget has not come up with any innovative ideas and programmes. (RSS)