February 1: The government has initiated discussions with the relevant ministries about the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Accordingly, the National Planning Commission held a discussion with various ministries and agencies.

"Before setting the budget ceiling for the upcoming year, discussions have started with various ministries on what kind of plans and programmes are needed and how much budget is required," said Yamlal Bhusal, the NPC spokesperson.    
It may be noted that the Resource Estimation Committee is chaired by the vice chair of the National Planning Commission. However, in the previous years, the committee used to set the budget limits without the participation and discussion with the relevant ministries.

This led to discrepancy in budget allocation as per the priority plans and programmes.    
Spokesperson Bhusal said that the budget ceiling will now be determined based on the discussions beforehand. The estimates of next year's budget and the limit of expenditure will be determined after analyzing the status of expenditure up to mid-January of the current fiscal year.    
The NPC held discussion on the budget priorities and ceiling with the Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Urban Development, Ministry of Forests and Environment, Ministry of Health and Population, Ministry of Energy and Water Resources and Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.    
The NPC has already discussed the matters related to budget with the Office of the President and the Office of the Vice President, the Supreme Court and other agencies. Discussions with other ministries and agencies will continue on Thursday and Friday. Unilateral discussion will also be held with every ministry and agency.    
Budget calendar amended    
Moreover, the annual budget calendar has been amended by the government. President Ram Chandra Paudel issued the Ordinance on Fiscal Procedures and Financial Accountability (first amendment), 2080, which warrants submission of budget principles and priorities three months before the budget is presented in the parliament.    
Similarly, the time to ascertain budget ceiling by the resource determination committee has also been revised.    
The change mandates government to present principles and priorities of appropriation bill before Falgun 15 (February end). As per the new provision, the parliament shall hold deliberation on principles and priorities of the budget for a month to forward suggestions to the government.    
The resource estimate committee will prepare budget ceiling by the end of the month of Magh (mid-February) and provide it to all ministries before first week of Falgun (third week of February).    
Even the mid-term expenditure report has to be sent to all ministries before first week of Falgun as per the revised budget calendar.    
Meanwhile, the NPC has already sought proposals for projects and programmes from the provinces and local levels. They have been asked to submit proposals before end of the month of Magh (mid-February). -- RSS