Biratnagar Metropolitan City unveils Rs 3.5 billion budget

MORAMG, JUNE 25: The Biratnagar Metropolitan City (BMC) presented the annual income and expenditure estimates (budget) for the upcoming fiscal year 2024/25 yesterday. Metropolitan Deputy Mayor Shilpa Nirala Karki read out the budget worth Rs. 3.49 billion during the 14th Town Assembly.

For income, Rs. 320 million is estimated from the federal government under the financial equalization grant, while Rs. 20 million is expected from the provincial government, said Deputy Mayor Karki. Other sources of income include revenue collection from VAT, excise duty, royalties from forest products, taxes from the registration of houses and land, vehicle taxes, and others, according to Karki.

Notably, the Metropolis has designated Rs. 590 million for office operations and administrative activities, while Rs. 430 million has been allocated for various projects to be implemented at the local levels. The Metropolis has dedicated Rs. 56 million for the development of human settlements and the Tarai-Madhesh Prosperity Programme.

Under the social development sector, the education development program will receive Rs. 780 million, the health sector Rs. 200 million, and Rs. 9.9 million will be invested in women empowerment programs. The children's sector will receive Rs. 7 million, the youth development sector Rs. 9.5 million, and the sports sector over Rs. 10 million, Karki informed.

Similarly, Rs. 45 million has been earmarked for the maintenance of roads, canals, and sewers, while Rs. 100 million has been designated for other maintenance. Over Rs. 20 million is estimated to be spent on the purchase of heavy-duty vehicles.

The Metropolis has prioritized disaster management and the conservation of the forest environment, allocating over Rs. 10 million for these areas. Over Rs. 10 million has been allocated for the sanitation program. The traffic management sector has received Rs. 4 million, urban development Rs. 9 million, and Rs. 6 million for the development of information technology.

Over Rs. 10 million has been allocated for programs aimed at good governance and smooth and swift public service delivery, while the Metropolis has designated over Rs. 20 million for the purification of wastewater and the same amount for the electrification program.