Communication Minister asks line agencies to increase capital expenditure, clear arrears

Kathmandu, Oct. 28: Minister for Communication and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung has directed the ministry's officials and line agencies to increase their capital expenditure and reduce the volume of arrears.

At a review meeting of the ministry's first quarter of the current fiscal year and Ministerial Development Action Committee (MDAC) on Monday, Minister Gurung said, "The capital expenditure should be increased." He said that failure to cross the capital expenditure from 50 per cent is not satisfactory.  

Directing the line agencies to reduce the arrears, Minister Gurung, also the spokesperson of the government, said that lack of good-governance and transparency results in policy corruption and immense arrears. 

"Improve the status of arrears clearance while joining the next meeting," Minister Gurung instructed.

In the first quarter of the current fiscal year, just 51.93 per cent of allocated budget of Rs 1.65 billion was spent.  

During the review period, the ministry spent 41.6 per cent in capital expenses and 52.92 in current expenses. 

On the occasion, Minister Gurung also suggested the officials to mend their working style and asked everyone to ensure transparency. "Service delivery should not be halted under different pretexts. The issues in the bureaucracy should be reformed now. Let's work with a new vigour," Minister Gurung urged. 

Likewise, Minister Gurung urged the Ministry of General Administration to implement the work performance contract and not to transfer the officials in less than a year in an institution.   

Gurung also stressed the need of inter-ministry coordination, cooperation and support to troubleshoot the issues of development. 

As shared in the meeting, 21 of the total 34 milestones set by the ministry have been completed in the first quarter of the current fiscal year. 

During the meeting, National Planning Commission Member Dr Prakash Kumar Shrestha pledged for cooperation and facilitation to accomplish the target.  

Likewise, Ministry's Secretary Radhika Aryal said there was no alternative to increasing the capital expenditure and expressed satisfaction to the better progress in achieving milestones. (RSS)