KATHMANDU: Most of the metropolitan cities in the country have increased their budgets for the next fiscal year (FY) 2081/82 compared to the current year. According to the Inter-Governmental Fiscal Arrangement Act 2074, the local level must submit the next year's budget to the Municipal Assembly by Asar 10 (June 24 this year).

Accordingly, six major cities have submitted their budgets within the specified time. Birgunj Metropolitan City introduced its budget on June 22, while the other five metropolitan cities submitted theirs on Monday. Lalitpur, Bharatpur, Biratnagar, Pokhara, and Kathmandu have all increased their budgets, while Birgunj's budget has decreased.

Kathmandu

Kathmandu Metropolitan City’s Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol presented a budget of Rs 25.64 billion for the upcoming year at the 15th Municipal Assembly. This is an increase from the current year's budget of Rs 25.54 billion. Deputy Mayor Dangol stated that the budget aims to alleviate poverty by utilizing local resources equitably, contributing to the socialist-oriented national economy, enhancing social harmony and unity, and reducing the rates of self-employment and emigration abroad.

The budget includes allocations of Rs 3.8 billion for 11 metropolitan pride projects and funds for 30 golden schemes. More than Rs 14 billion has been allocated for infrastructure development, over Rs 3 billion for social development, and more than Rs 1.89 billion for good governance. The KMC has estimated revenue collection of Rs 24.2 billion for the upcoming year.

Lalitpur

Lalitpur Metropolitan City has increased its budget for the upcoming year to Rs 7.47 billion, a 15% increase over the current year. Deputy Mayor Manjali Shakya Bajracharya announced the budget at the Municipal Assembly meeting on Monday. The budget includes a property tax exemption for houses built in accordance with heritage rules within the World Heritage Site. Additionally, residents using electric vehicles will receive a 5% property tax rebate.

Bharatpur

Bharatpur Metropolitan City has released a budget of Rs 6.55 billion, which is Rs 240.6 million more than that of current year. Deputy Mayor Chitrasen Adhikari presented the budget in the Municipal Assembly on Monday. Of this, Rs 1.6 billion has been allocated for completing pending projects and those with multi-year contracts.

Pokhara

Deputy Mayor Manjudevi Gurung of Pokhara Metropolitan City presented a budget of Rs 7.51 billion for the upcoming fiscal year. The budget is more than the current year’s budget by Rs 430 million. Pokhara is currently implementing a budget of Rs 7. 08 billion. The new budget includes policies such as mandatory competitive procurement for projects exceeding Rs 50 million, and no transfer of funds from the capital budget.

Biratnagar

Biratnagar Metropolitan City has announced an estimated budget of Rs 3.5 billion for FY 2081/82. Deputy Mayor Shilpa Karki presented the budget at the Municipal Assembly. Karki noted that due to an economic crisis and lower-than-expected income, the metropolis could not add new programs for the upcoming year.

Birgunj

Birgunj Metropolitan City has released a budget of Rs 2.89 billion for the upcoming year, which is Rs 620 million less than the current year's budget. Deputy Mayor Imtiaz Alam presented the budget during the 15th session of the Municipal Assembly on Saturday. The budget prioritizes education, health, sanitation management, environmental protection, tourism, agriculture, quality physical infrastructure, and digital-friendly service delivery. The local tax system aims to boost production and promote social justice.