Budget Allocated for Temple and Private House Preservation

June 19, Pokhara – The government’s annual development program includes an allocation of 500,000 rupees for the preservation of Bhusal Chowk and Surendra Bhusal’s house in Bihadi-4, Parbat. While last year’s funds were directed toward community settlement preservation, this year’s budget is designated specifically for the protection of a private residence. The Land and Watershed Management Office, Parbat, is tasked with implementing this house preservation project. However, the office chief, Shambhu Prasad Mishra, expressed concerns, stating that although he has seen the site, the budget allocation under an individual’s name could raise questions regarding project implementation. “Last year, the budget was for preserving Bhusal Chowk, but this time it is specifically allocated for a private house,” Mishra explained. “The house is precariously situated near a cliff and is structurally unstable. It remains unclear how the budget allocated in an individual’s name will be effectively utilized.”

The individual, Surendra Bhusal, mentioned in the annual development program, is the son of the ward chairperson of the same ward, Vishnu Prasad Bhusal, and also serves as the president of Nepali Congress in Bihadi. The annual development program issued by Gandaki Province shows a scattered pattern of budget distribution that includes not only individual house preservation but also temples and community buildings. While scientific research, technology, and academic institutions such as Gandaki University have empty research funds, the government has allocated budget for constructing buildings of non-academic spiritual institutions with the term “university” included, such as the Brahma Kumari Ishwariya University. The development program for the fiscal year 2083/84 introduced by Gandaki Province focuses more on distributive schemes rather than initiatives aimed at boosting the provincial economy.

The governing slogan of “Prosperous Gandaki, Self-Reliant Province” contrasts with the significant portion of the budget expended on unproductive, distribution-focused, and petty projects. Although the provincial government should prioritize knowledge, science, technology, and strategic tourism infrastructure, millions of rupees have been spent locally on small-scale construction of temples, gompas, and mother groups likely intended to strengthen the electoral base. Gandaki Province has allocated approximately 280 million rupees for temples, community buildings, and other related structures. Notably, two separate ministries have also allocated budget under the temple category.