Karnali govt ends discretionary budget allocations: CM Kandel

By Lalit Basel,Surkhet, May 10: In a significant policy shift, Chief Minister of Karnali Province, Yam Lal Kandel, announced that the provincial government has officially ceased allocating budgetary resources based on individual discretion. 

Addressing a Provincial Coordination Council meeting held in Surkhet, CM Kandel said that the move aims to bring greater transparency and structure to the province’s budget distribution process.

"The provincial assembly is the sovereign body to pass the budget, and the government is responsible for its implementation," said Kandel. He further underscored that the government will no longer allocate funds outside the provincial assembly-approved plans, effectively phasing out discretionary budget distribution.

Highlighting a growing wave of public criticism over unfair budget and project allocation in previous years, the Chief Minister said that a procedural framework for project selection has been developed. 

This initiative is part of a broader effort to eliminate favouritism and non-transparent practices in planning and funding.

“For the first time, we are initiating a legal and structural process in which the provincial and local governments sit together to discuss project selection,” he said, noting the importance of inclusive decision-making. 

CM Kandel also outlined a targeted approach for this year’s project selection, focusing on the three key employment-generating sectors of Karnali Province: agriculture, small-scale industries and tourism. 

The ‘Chief Minister’s Karnali Employment Programme’ will prioritise agriculture, income generation and production-oriented initiatives.

Reflecting on the province’s seven-year journey since its formation, Kandel acknowledged both progress and pitfalls. "Despite several notable achievements, a few missteps have led to undue criticism. Unfortunately, good work often goes unnoticed while isolated errors draw disproportionate scrutiny," he remarked, stressing the need for elected representatives to uphold integrity.

In a forward-looking message to local governments, the Chief Minister encouraged them to actively develop plans to enhance their revenues. 

He urged local representatives to rigorously monitor all development activities within their jurisdictions, whether funded by the federal government, the province, or development partners, to ensure the timely completion of the development projects.

Kandel also cautioned against the misconception that only elected officials and civil servants can drive development. He emphasised the importance of cross-party dialogue and cooperation at the local level to foster more inclusive and effective governance.