In a democracy, government functions as a trustee of collective resources, obligated to manage them responsibly and in the public interest. National revenues, natural resources, and institutions belong equally to citizens, yet political practice often diverges from this fiduciary principle. Concentrated decision-making and weak oversight create conditions for inefficiency, misuse, and politically driven spending. The annual budget thus becomes the primary tool through which priorities are revealed, reflecting not only economic strategy but also the ethical commitments of leadership. Citizens’ scrutiny is essential to ensure the budget aligns with development needs rather than serving short-term or partisan goals.
Nepal’s FY 2082/83 (2025/26) budget has expanded by NPR 104 billion, with notable increases in salaries, allowances, and social security, along with a substantial yet poorly defined boost in capital expenditure. The capital expenditure increase—especially the NPR 27.8 billion under the vaguely defined “Other Public Construction”—raises transparency concerns. Notably, the Settlement Development Program which relies heavily on foreign loans and distributes funds across thousands of projects. Many of these projects could fall within local government responsibility, but centralising them blurs accountability and invites suspicion of politically motivated allocations.
This raises serious concerns about financial discipline, clarity, and the responsible use of borrowed resources. Without stronger oversight, the budget risks serving political interests and wasteful spending rather than advancing inclusive and sustainable national development.
You can read Nepali version published in The Himal Khabar here.
