KARNALI LANDSCAPE
Volume: 22,
1st December 2023
- Budget implementation in Karnali province lags, with only 7.11% spent in the first quarter of the current fiscal year 2023-24. Notably, capital expenditure is deficient at 5.29%. This financial snapshot underscores potential challenges in project execution and timely development.
- Chief Minister of Karnali Province Government Rajkumar Sharma emphasizes the need for true federalism, highlighting that financial, administrative, and legal aspects are yet to be fully implemented. He urges the federal government to shift away from a centralized mentality and focus on empowering provincial and local levels for effective federal governance.
- Deputy Prime Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka emphasizes the need for collaboration among all three levels of government. He also announces the impending passage of crucial laws, including the Federal Police Act and the Education Act, during the upcoming winter session of Parliament. Local and provincial governments have been expressing dissatisfaction, citing a lack of enacted laws by the federal government for common rights. A National Assembly Legislation Committee Study reveals that 40 crucial laws required for federalism implementation are still pending.
Shree Airlines initiated regular flights between Kathmandu and Surkhet on December 1, 2023. In conjunction with this launch, there has been a noteworthy reduction in airfares for this route. Previously, Buddha Air operated two daily flights with a minimum fare of Rs. 8000. With the introduction of Shree Airlines’ services, the minimum fare has now decreased to Rs. 6600.
Comment: This exemplifies how an open and competitive market can directly benefit consumers.
Karnali Landscape is a weekly update series of the Hriti Foundation. Focusing on the Karnali province, the issues that have come up in discussions in the week on social media and mass media are collected and published. Karnali Landscape is published through Hriti Foundation’s website and social media.
