One Metropolitan and Two Sub-Metropolitan Cities in Madhesh Province Announce Budgets

June 24, Janakpur Dham – Madhesh Province comprises 136 local levels, including one metropolitan city and three sub-metropolitan cities. According to the Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfer Act, all local levels must disclose their budgets by the 10th of Ashar. While some municipalities have already held their municipal assemblies, most are conducting theirs today. However, a few municipalities have been unable to hold assemblies due to internal disputes and incomplete preparations. Among the metropolitan and sub-metropolitan cities, all except Janakpur Dham Sub-Metropolitan City have announced their budgets. The municipal assembly of Janakpur Dham Sub-Metropolitan City has yet to take place. An official from the office stated that incomplete internal preparations and the prolonged absence of the Chief Administrative Officer have affected the budget preparation process.

The budget proposed by Birgunj Metropolitan City is NPR 442 crore. Birgunj, the only metropolitan city in Madhesh Province, has presented an estimated budget of nearly NPR 445 crore for fiscal year 2078/79. At the 20th municipal assembly held today, the metropolitan city prioritized education, health services, sanitation, agriculture, tourism, industry, quality physical infrastructure, and technology in its total budget of NPR 4,423,469,000. Mayor Rajeshman Singh of Birgunj Metropolitan City has been suspended following a citizenship forgery case. Consequently, Ward Executive Member Jagat Sah Kanau presented the budget proposal, including the estimated income and expenditure, on behalf of Acting Mayor Imtiaz Alam.

The metropolitan city’s proposed budget reflects an increase of approximately NPR 119 crore compared to the current fiscal year. Previously, the city had proposed a budget of NPR 322,484,900 for the ongoing fiscal year. The upcoming budget allocates NPR 2,403,469,000 (54.3% of the total) for operating expenses, NPR 1,969,984,000 (44.6%) for capital expenditure, and NPR 50 million (1.1%) for financial management.

Kalaiya Sub-Metropolitan City of Bara has also presented its budget for the fiscal year 2078/79. At the 17th municipal assembly, the sub-metropolitan city proposed an estimated budget of NPR 1,967,300,000, covering sectors including education, health, agriculture, and infrastructure. Chief Administrative Officer Reshamla Kadnel presented the budget. Mayor Vinod Sah of Kalaiya stated that the municipal policy and program have been formulated with the objective of promoting agriculture and infrastructure development as the foundation for city prosperity.

Jitpur Simara Sub-Metropolitan City has submitted an estimated budget of NPR 1.87 billion for the fiscal year 2078/79. This amount represents a 6.95% decrease compared to the current fiscal year. Deputy Mayor Bhola Prasad Adhikari presented the budget, which estimates receiving NPR 790.9 million from the federal government and NPR 56.25 million from the Madhesh Province government.

Assembly sessions remain uncertain due to disputes and incomplete preparations. While many municipalities have completed their assemblies by the 10th of Ashar, a few remain uncertain due to internal conflicts and lack of readiness. Apart from Janakpur Dham Sub-Metropolitan City, Jaleshwar Municipality in Mahottari has also not held its assembly. The delay is attributed to disputes impeding budget approval. Eight of the 12 ward chairpersons in Jaleshwar Municipality have jointly locked the municipal office, causing continued uncertainty about holding the assembly there.