Far western province presents budget principles and priorities for fiscal year 2083/84 BS

Dhangadhi: The Sudurpaschim (Far Western) Province government has presented the principles and priorities of the budget (appropriation bill) for the upcoming fiscal year 2083/84 in the Provincial Assembly.

Minister for Economic Affairs Bahadur Singh Thapa presented the budget principles and priorities in the Provincial Assembly. He stated that the provincial government is committed to achieving sustainable, inclusive, and equitable economic and social development and prosperity.

The principles and priorities outline that the concept of a welfare state envisioned by the constitution, the Sixteenth Plan, the objectives of the provincial periodic plan, the Sustainable Development Goals, and commitments made through election manifestos serve as the main guidance for budget formulation.

The budget principles include good governance, digital transformation and institutional strengthening, sustainable public finance management and fiscal discipline, production growth, job creation and poverty reduction. Likewise, quality and resilient infrastructure development, human capital development, social justice, inclusive growth, and sustainable development are also included.

It is stated that services provided by the provincial government will be based on information technology and made faster and more efficient. The budget priorities focus on building digital infrastructure, strengthening cybersecurity, improving digital literacy, and promoting innovation and entrepreneurship.

Similarly, the priorities include formulating and implementing a provincial strategy aligned with the Digital Nepal Framework to promote technology-friendly systems in sectors such as education, health, agriculture, tourism, transport, and public finance management.

The budget also emphasizes developing IT-based administrative systems, electronic service delivery, and digital archiving to enhance governance, service delivery, economic development, and public participation in the province. Expanding online payment systems and integrated data management to improve transparency, effectiveness, and public access to services is also included.

Further priorities include strengthening fiscal discipline, ensuring result-oriented public expenditure, and improving public finance management. Minister Thapa stated that the budget also prioritizes increasing production, modernizing agriculture, promoting industry and employment creation, developing resilient infrastructure, and strengthening education, health, and human capital as the foundation of economic development.