Constitutional Expert Officer’s Analysis: The Cheetah Budget

15 Jestha, Kathmandu – Constitutional expert Dr. Bipin Adhikari has labeled the budget presented by Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle as the “Cheetah Budget.” He described this budget as swift, agile, bold, and embodying an aspiration for significant progress. Dr. Adhikari wrote on social media platform Facebook, “The budget is an aggressive attempt aimed at reform, technology orientation, and assuring the private sector.”

He further added, “The strong aspects of this budget include simplification of the tax system, administrative restructuring, reduction in public expenditure, facilitation of investment, focus on energy, AI technology, agricultural revival, health insurance, education reform, and infrastructure, all presented as a unified ‘reform package.'” Given the budget’s commitment to substantial spending, he also pointed out the need to fulfill this through debt and deficits.

Dr. Adhikari concluded that for the budget to succeed, revenue projections must be realistic, capital expenditure must be implemented on time, and the declared legal and institutional reforms must be meaningfully enforced within this year. He stated, “In terms of implementation, resource management, and expenditure discipline, this budget appears challenging. There is no lack of direction. This budget pursues an ambitious reformist course.” However, he cautioned, “Due to our weak administrative capacity, there is the risk that this budget may remain merely declarative.” According to him, the budget, characterized by rapid pace, aggressive reforms, and the aspiration for major progress, requires strict discipline in execution to be successful.