PM Balendra Shah Assures Balanced Budget, Fair Allocation for Karnali

Prime Minister Balendra Shah has said that the budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2083/84 will be balanced, with a commitment to ensure fair allocation of resources to Karnali Province.

During a discussion held at the Office of the Prime Minister in Singha Durbar with federal lawmakers representing Karnali earlier today, the Prime Minister assured that the concerns and needs of the province would be addressed equitably in the upcoming budget.

According to Ramesh Malla, a lawmaker from Salyan Constituency No. 1 who participated in the meeting, Prime Minister Shah emphasized that the government would prioritize governance reforms in its first year in office. The discussion primarily focused on budget planning and development priorities for Karnali Province.

Lawmakers from the province urged the Prime Minister to give top priority to Karnali in the upcoming budget, highlighting the need for improved governance, enhanced infrastructure development, and targeted socio-economic interventions.

Key issues raised during the meeting included post-earthquake relief and reconstruction, pre-monsoon preparedness, and the development of major road corridors such as Karnali, Bheri, Rapti, Mid-Hill Highway, Madan Bhandari Highway, and Lumbini–Rara Highway. Participants also stressed the importance of strengthening road infrastructure across the province.

In addition, concerns related to health insurance, maternal and child nutrition, petroleum exploration in Dailekh, wildlife risk management, and improvements in communication, electricity, drinking water, irrigation, agriculture, forestry, tourism, and education sectors were discussed.

The meeting was attended by Members of Parliament from Karnali Province representing the Nepali Communist Party, CPN (UML), Nepali Congress, and Rastriya Prajatantra Party.

The government is currently in the process of finalizing preparations for the upcoming fiscal budget.