7 local bodies in Dhanusha finalise budgets a month after deadline

By Laxmi Chaudhary,Janakpurdham, Aug. 21: Seven local bodies in Dhanusha district have yet to finalise their budgets for the upcoming fiscal year, despite the deadline of 10th Ashadh (24 June) of the current fiscal year 2025/26.

Dhanusha comprises 18 local bodies, including one sub-metropolitan city, 11 municipalities, and six rural municipalities. Out of these, 11 local bodies have already presented their budgets.

According to Section 71 of the Local Government Operation Act, 2017, the budget for the upcoming fiscal year must have been approved by the 10th of Ashadh. However, even after the passage of Shrawan (mid-July to mid-August), seven local bodies in Dhanusha have failed to present their budgets.

The local bodies yet to unveil their budgets are Kshireswor Nath, Nagarain, Kamala, Hansapur and Mithila municipalities, and Janaknandini and Aurahi rural municipalities. Janakpurdham Sub-Metropolitan City, Ganeshman Charnath, Videha, Sabaila, Shahidnagar, Mithila Bihari and Dhanushadham municipalities, and Dhanauji, Bateshwar, Mukiyapatti Musaharnia and Lakshminiya rural municipalities.

Vinay Kumar Yadav, Mayor of Nagarain Municipality, cited political disagreements as the main cause of the delay. He explained that since the municipality is dominated by the CPN-UML while he was elected from the Nepali Congress, political rivalry has hampered consensus and affected the budget process. 

"The political manoeuvring has disrupted municipal work, directly impacting development projects and the public. The delay in budget approval stems from the lack of agreement," said Yadav. Similarly, Ram Udgar Adhikari, Chief Administrative Officer of Kshireswor Nath Municipality, said that disagreements among elected representatives have prevented meetings from being held and consequently delayed budget approval.  According to him, the budget delay is due to a lack of consensus among representatives.

Each year, local bodies in Dhanusha face challenges such as a lack of agreement among representatives, internal disputes, and staff shortages, all of which negatively impact budget programmes. Ashok Kumar Yadav, Chief Administrative Officer of Aurahi Rural Municipality, added that delays in budget approval are affecting municipal operations. However, he refrained from taking responsibility and suggested that elected representatives have more information on the matter.

Most of the local bodies that have yet to submit their budgets expressed commitment to finalising them by the last week of Bhadra (early September), acknowledging the significant delay.

Not reported to the federal ministry 

Meanwhile, after local bodies approve their budgets, details must be entered into the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration’s online portal. 

However, despite approving budgets in Ashadh (June), Janakpurdham Sub-Metropolitan City, Dhanushadham, and Dhanauji Rural Municipality have yet to upload their budget details to the portal.

Manoj Kumar Sah, Chief of Janakpurdham, said his municipality finalised the budget within Ashar. "I will check with the staff why the approval hasn’t been updated. However, we brought the policies and programmes by Ashar 10 and approved the budget by Ashadh 30 (mid-July)," he said. 

Bidya Devi Bhujel, Deputy Chief of Dhanushadham, attributed the delay in portal entry to the chief administrative officer’s leave, the accountant’s visit abroad, and a lack of programme ceilings from wards. She assured that the data would be entered by mid-September. Out of 136 local bodies in Madhes Province, 95 have entered their budgets into the ministry’s portal, while 41 have yet to do so.

Six local bodies in Saptari yet to announce budget

Meanwhile, our Saptari correspond reported six local levels in Saptari have yet to present their budgets, the first week of Bhadra (mid-August).

The concerned local levels are Rajbiraj and Dakneshwori municipalities, and Mahadeva, Agnisair Krishna Sabaran, Chhinnamasta and Balan-Bihul rural municipalities.

According to the Local Government Operation Act, 2017, local levels are required to present their budgets for the new fiscal year by the 10th of Ashadh (24 June this year). However, locals reported that disputes among elected representatives have prevented the timely presentation of the budget.

Despite facing various challenges, the chairpersons of the concerned municipalities and rural municipalities claim they are making efforts to finalise and announce the budget. They mentioned that although there are disagreements and dissatisfaction among stakeholders, continuous coordination and collaboration are ongoing to resolve the issues and move forward.

Israt Prabin, acting Mayor of Rajbiraj Municipality, said that consultations are being held with elected representatives and staff members to finalise the budget. 

According to her, Rajbiraj will present its budget for this fiscal year within the month of Bhadra (by mid-September which is two months since the new FY began). "During the month of Shrawan (mid-July to mid-August), most staff and representatives were occupied with religious and cultural events, and although we were willing, we couldn’t announce the budget," said Israt.

Fourteen out of 18 local levels in the district have already presented their budgets. Saptari has nine municipalities and nine rural municipalities, totalling 18 local levels.