Government Expenditure Exceeds its Income by Rs 1.56 Kharba; Only 22.15% Capital Expenditure Utilized for the 8-Month of FY 79/80

The government's budget deficit for the first eight months of the current fiscal year 2079/80 exceeded Rs. 1.56 Kharba. By Falgun's end, the government has spent 7.79 Kharba of its budget, but only 6.22 Kharba has been collected as total revenue.

Meanwhile, only 22.15% Of Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) remains utilized till Falgun’s end of FY 2079/80. Capital expenditure is the money spent by the government on the development of physical assets. In Nepal, the capital budget is met by balancing domestic revenue after meeting the recurrent budget, grants, and loans.  Looking at the details from Financial Comptroller General Office, it seems that only Rs 84.25 Arba of the capital budget has been spent from the targeted budget of Rs. 3.80 Kharba.  

The government is always seen accelerating the costs of capital expenditure at the last minute, and looks like the end of this fiscal year will be no different. The modest rate of capital expenditure throughout the review period demonstrates that the government has not increased its ability to spend this year. The inability of the government will negatively affect employment possibilities, the liquidity of the banking system, and the quality of development projects.

On the other hand, the FCGO has reported tax revenue of Rs. 5.26 Kharba and non-tax revenue of Rs. 56.29 Arba for the 8-month fiscal year-end. A total of Rs. 35.20 Arba in other receipts has been recorded. The record also shows that the government has been able to generate only Rs. 5.82 Kharba as total revenue from the targeted budget of Rs. 14.03 Kharba. 

The government's entire expenditure for the eight months of FY 79/80 is Rs. 7.79 Kharba, which is greater than the total tax revenue it has received (5.82 Kharba). This shows that the government is unable to meet the expenditure using only tax revenue.

Meanwhile, just 37.41% of the financing amount has been spent. The financing budget is used to repay the government's loan principal and interest, as well as to make investments.