Energy Minister emphasises region-specific needs in upcoming budget formulation

KATHMANDU: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Dipak Khadka, stresses the need to address the requirements of all regions and geographical areas during budget formulation.

In a review meeting at the Ministry today on the expenditures of the Ministry and its subordinate bodies for the current fiscal year 2024/25, he emphasised that the upcoming budget should broadly address citizens' concerns, including region-specific and geographical needs.

"Let us demand a budget that is viable for expenditures and ensures the completion of projects on time," he stated.

Highlighting the importance of equitable budget allocations, he called for the promotion of technology to enhance the Ministry's efficiency. He also underscored the necessity of controlling unnecessary expenditures and urged all bodies and employees to ensure active participation in service delivery.

Energy Secretary Suresh Acharya noted that the progress of multi-purpose projects of national pride has been unsatisfactory. He highlighted that the Ministry faces budgetary constraints in achieving the goals outlined in the Energy Development Roadmap recently unveiled by the government. "Efforts are underway at the Ministry level to increase the budget ceiling," he added.

Irrigation Secretary Sarita Dawadi proposed a provision to enable unspent funds from one project to be allocated to another. She stressed the importance of prioritising underground irrigation, ensuring farmers have access to irrigation facilities, and maintaining accountability for irrigation projects by guaranteeing water supply to farmlands.

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