About 80pc projects approved
KATHMANDU:
The National Planning Commission (NPC) and various ministries have approved almost 80 per cent of development project proposals so far this fiscal year, in a volte face from previous practices of dragging the process for months, leading to delay in implementation of development work.
The government will implement 452 projects in the fiscal 2013-14, of which 301 are Priority One (P1) projects, 129 are Priority Two (P2) projects and 22 are Priority Three (P3) projects.
As per the rule, different ministries can spend the budget allocated for P2 and P3 projects without taking prior approval of any government body. But in the case of P1 projects, prior approval of NPC is required for implementation.
“NPC has so far approved 80 per cent of P1 project proposals and another 10 per cent of the project proposals are in the process of being endorsed,” finance ministry spokesperson Ram Saran Pudasaini said. Various ministries have also approved around 80 per cent of projects, Pudasaini further said, adding, “The latest figures show improvement in budget implementation process this fiscal year which is an achievement.”
However, the Finance Ministry is not very happy with the Ministry of Physical Planning, Works and Transport Management, Ministry of Urban Development, Ministry of Irrigation and Ministry of Education, which are yet to submit their proposals for endorsement.
“We and NPC are keeping track of them and are asking them to get their projects approved as soon as possible,” said Pudasaini.
One of the reasons for the delay in project implementation in the past used to be the lag in project approval process. But this year, the Finance Ministry directed all ministries to send their P1 project proposals for approval to NPC within two weeks of getting the authority to utilise the budgeted amount. At the same time it also asked NPC to approve projects forwarded by ministries within a week.
In addition, the Finance Ministry also asked various ministries to implement P2 and P3 projects immediately after the introduction of the budget in mid-July.
With the achievement of progress in project approval process, the Finance Ministry is now planning to closely monitor rolling out of projects in the coming days. This process will include surveillance on whether various government bodies are laying the groundwork for handing over of contracts within the mid-December deadline given by ministry.
Along with this, the Finance Ministry will also review the status of selected projects worth more than Rs 150 million at intervals of two months.
“We hope these efforts will increase capital spending this year, which will boost economic growth, create additional job opportunities and reduce the poverty level,” Pudasaini said. The government has allocated Rs 85.10 billion for capital expenditure this fiscal.
Source: THT
