Participatory system needed in budget-making: Minister Pandey

Kathmandu, June 23: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey has said that a participatory approach should be embraced in making plans during budget formulation.

Responding to the lawmakers’ questions on the upcoming fiscal year’s budget in today’s House of Representatives (HoR) meeting, Minister Pandey said that a trend of selecting plans in the budget should be established. “All areas and communities’ participation and prioritization should be there in making plans, and the budget allocation should be done accordingly,” he added.

He also pledged to take the initiative for the implementation of all plans under his ministry, adding that the records of all plans are kept systematically. Pandey said that the budget for the Ministry has been allocated in all districts except Manang and Rukum Paschim. Likewise, Pandey shared that budget allocation is there for the development of seven hill stations in seven provinces, and the private sector would also be taken on board for this.

On the occasion, Minister Pandey shared that the modality for the construction of the much-hyped Nijgadh Airport and its operation modality would be advanced simultaneously. He shared that Rs 580 million has been allocated to run a special program in 10 underprivileged districts.

Minister Pandey added that the focus is shifted on policy and structural reforms and the drafting of the culture policy was in the final stage while tourism policy and civil aviation policy are being drafted.