Progress on govt-set annual targets and milestones dismal

KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 12 : The progress of government-set annual activities and milestones for the last fiscal was found to be dismal. According to the "Annual Report of Policy and Main Functions, Fiscal Year 2023/24," released by the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM), only 42 percent of the activities and 48.5 percent of the milestones set for the fiscal year were completed.

Out of a total of 1,600 activities included in the action plan of 27 different agencies, 41.7 percent were completed, while out of 3,421 milestones, 48.5 percent were met, 40.5 percent are in progress, and 11 percent have yet to start.

The report indicated that, of the 414 activities planned in the economic sector, 167 were completed, 229 are ongoing, and 19 are yet to start. In the infrastructure sector, out of 500 activities, 109 were completed, 374 are in operation, and 17 are pending.

Similarly, for governance reforms, 211 out of 392 activities were completed, 154 are underway, and 27 are yet to start. In the social sector, of 293 activities, 181 were completed, 105 partially completed, and seven have yet to start.

Overall, out of the 1,600 activities scheduled annually, 668 (41.4 percent) were completed, 662 (53.9 percent) are in progress, and 70 (4.4 percent) are yet to start. Additionally, out of 3,441 milestones, 1,659 (48.5 percent) were completed, 1,385 (40.5 percent) were partially achieved, and 377 (11 percent) have not started.

The Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration scored the highest achievement rate with 87 percent, while the Ministry of Urban Development scored the lowest with nine percent. The Public Procurement Office was the second-lowest performing agency at 21 percent, and the Ministry of Finance also showed weak performance, with only 29 percent of its milestones completed.

The report cited several reasons for the unmet milestones, including a lack of human resources, changes in project leadership, legal and procedural issues, problems with land acquisition, disputes and legal complications, contractor and consultant delays, adverse weather, supply issues, and other challenges.

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