Govt spent Rs 2.03bn to host SAARC Summit
KATHMANDU:
The country spent around Rs 2.03 billion to host the 18th Summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) from November 26 to 27 in Kathmandu, show the latest data provided by the Ministry of Finance (MoF).
Of the total amount, 38 per cent was used to renovate road and footpath in Kathmandu Valley and another 21 per cent was spent on purchasing or hiring vehicles to ferry SAARC delegates or provide security to dignitaries who attended the Summit participated by heads of state or government of South Asian countries.
The MoF released a total of Rs 434.40 million to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), army, police and armed police to purchase or hire vehicles.
Ministry of Home Affairs, on behalf of Nepal Police, took Rs 157.90 million to purchase vehicles for SAARC Summit, while Armed Police Force obtained Rs 25 million for the same purpose. The Ministry of Defence, on behalf of Nepal Army, took away another Rs 86.7 million to purchase vehicles for VIP security during the Summit, show the MoF data.
Similarly, MoFA was extended a sum of Rs 125 million to purchase vehicles and Rs 39.80 million to hire vehicles for the Summit.
The government also spent heavily to renovate roads and footpaths in the Valley. The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport (MoPIT) took away Rs 780 million for the purpose from the MoF.
“We used the money to renovate footpath and lay asphalt and concrete on roads in Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts,” MoPIT Spokesperson Devendra Karki said. “But we cannot give you exact data on the length of roads and footpaths that were renovated, as works are still going on.”
Among others, the MoF released a fund of Rs 157.70 million to renovate Rastriya Sabha Griha, where the main event was held for two days and another Rs 21 million for construction of other public infrastructure.
Similarly, Rs 2.4 million was released to build a helipad in Kavre, where heads of the state or government of South Asian countries participated in the retreat. Also, Rs 30.20 million was extended to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation for renovations at World Heritage Sites, among others.
“In total, we’ve so far released Rs 1.81 billion and Rs 220 million is yet to be released,” a senior MoF official said. “But we may have to release more amount in coming days as security agencies have not forwarded bills of expenses that went into providing lunch allowances to security personnel.”
The government had agreed to provide Rs 250 to every police, armed police and army personal who were on duty during the SAARC Summit — although they had initially demanded Rs 400 each. Around 28,000 to 29,000 security personnel were mobilised during the SAARC Summit.
Source: THT
