Auditor general flags exclusion of multiple policy programs from Far-west province budget

Dhangadhi: The eighth annual report of the Auditor General has pointed out that the Far West Province government has not included several programs outlined in its annual policy and program in the budget.

The Office of the Auditor General has suggested that the provincial government incorporate the programs mentioned in the policy and program into the budget and ensure their implementation. According to the report, initiatives such as the establishment of an agricultural incubation center, agricultural services in the palm of the hand, one district one industry, and youth scientific encouragement, although included in the provincial government’s annual policy and program for the fiscal year 2081/82, were not reflected in the budget.

Similarly, the report states that programs such as the Chief Minister's Health Sector Reform and Nutrition Security Program, the provincial capital construction process, the Hello Government Program, the implementation of integrated electronic recording of development and service delivery, and the electronic monitoring system were also not included in the budget.

The report further mentions that the use of the Provincial Project Bank Management Information System, as guided by the Provincial Project Bank formulation framework, has not been incorporated into the budget. Likewise, a program to review ongoing projects and select those that are technically, economically, socially, and environmentally feasible, as well as to determine criteria for Provincial Pride projects, was also not included.

In addition, the report notes that a program aimed at formulating a revenue policy to further strengthen the Krishi Sathi Agricultural Ambulance and internal income has not been included in the budget. The Auditor General has emphasized that programs outlined in policies and programs should be budgeted and implemented accordingly.

The report also highlights that recommendations made by the Study Task Force on Good Governance have not been implemented despite being included in the budget statement for the current fiscal year. It states that institutional strengthening of the Office of the Chief Justice and capacity development of employees, as well as administrative restructuring at the provincial level to ensure clean, impartial, efficient, and good governance-oriented service delivery, have not been carried out.

Similarly, the formation of a high-level task force to rationalize and abolish provincial offices, training centers, and directorates, and to implement its recommendations, has not been executed. The Office of the Auditor General has suggested that the provincial government ensure implementation of the budget statement.

The report further states that the establishment of an information coordination room in the Ministry of Law under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the development of necessary technology to manage records of citizens leaving for foreign employment and returning through international checkpoints connected to the province, have not been included in the budget. Likewise, policies and programs related to employment-oriented initiatives for returnee migrant workers have also not been incorporated.

The Office of the Auditor General has advised the provincial government to include in the budget and implement all activities that were part of the policies and programs but omitted from the budget, as well as those that were included in the budget statement but not executed.