11 local levels in Saptari fail to unveil budget on schedule

BY SUDHA DEV,Saptari, June 26: Eleven local levels in Saptari, including the district headquarters Rajbiraj, have failed to present their budget for the fiscal year 2025/26 within the mandated deadline, raising concerns over planning and service delivery.

Other local levels include Khadak, Hanumannagar Kankalini, Shambhunath, Dakneshwori, and Saptakoshi municipalities, along with Agnisair Krishna Sabaran, Bishnupur, Chhinnamasta, Tirhut, and Mahadeva rural municipalities. 

Among them, four municipalities have not even initiated the process of convening their municipal/rural assembly. While seven municipalities have presented their policies and programmes, they have yet to finalize the budget.

Rajbiraj, Hanumannagar Kankalini, and Dakneshwori municipalities have not begun the process of holding municipal assemblies. Agnisair Krishna Sabaran Rural Municipality had called a rural assembly for Monday, but the process could not proceed due to the absence of elected representatives.

Meanwhile, Surunga Municipality has brought a budget of Rs. 1.44 billion for the upcoming fiscal year. According to Mayor Geeta Chaudhary, the budget prioritises completing incomplete development works and small-scale enterprises. Likewise, Bodebarsain and Kanchanrup municipalities have presented budget of Rs. 921.07 million and Rs. 680.64 million respectively. 

Balan-Bihul Rural Municipality has announced a budget of Rs. 543.82 million, while Rajgadh and Rupani rural municipalities have presented budget of Rs. 491.57 million and Rs. 485.64 million. Similarly, Tilathi Koiladi Rural Municipality has brought a budget of Rs. 438.41 million. 

With this, only seven local levels in the district have managed to present their budget within the deadline. 

Although Saptakoshi, Shambhunath, and Khadak municipalities, along with Bishnupur, Tirhut, Chhinnamasta, and Mahadeva rural municipalities have inaugurated their assemblies and presented policies and programmes, their budgets have not yet been finalised.

There are a total of 18 local levels in the district, nine municipalities and nine rural municipalities.