KATHMANDU: The budgets of local administrations in six major cities in Nepal have just been released for the forthcoming fiscal year 2024–2025. All municipal levels are required by the constitution to submit their budget projections by a certain date, usually Asar 10 each year. A few days ago, certain municipal levels, like Birgunj Metropolitan City in Madhes Province, revealed their budgets. On Monday, five other metropolises did the same.

Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has the largest budget for the next fiscal year, among the six metropolises, totaling Rs. 25.70 billion. This marks an increase of Rs. 1.62 billion compared to the current fiscal year's budget of Rs. 24.08 billion. Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol highlighted the focus areas of the budget, including infrastructure development, job creation, quality goods provision, and heritage conservation. The KMC plans to accumulate Rs. 24.2 billion in its reserve fund and earn Rs. 1.55 billion from a land consolidation project.

Pokhara Metropolitan City has allocated Rs. 7.51 billion for fiscal year 2024/25, with Deputy Mayor Manju Devi Gurung presenting the budget emphasizing tourism promotion, particularly aiming to attract 1.5 million tourists under the "Pokhara Visit Year 2025" initiative. The city anticipates revenue mobilization of Rs. 4.20 billion from federal grants, Rs. 96.3 million from the provincial grant, and Rs. 1.55 billion from internal sources.

The Lalitpur Metropolitan City has allocated Rs. 7.46 billion for the next fiscal year, a 15% increase above the Rs. 6.50 billion budget for the current fiscal year. Priorities including institutional development, environmentally friendly infrastructure, protecting cultural heritage, and promoting tourism were identified by Deputy Mayor Manjali Shakya Bajracharya. The city hopes to make Rs. 3.55 billion from domestic sources in addition to federal and provincial contributions of Rs. 1.32 billion and Rs. 229 million, respectively.

Bharatpur Metropolitan City in Chitwan has presented a budget of Rs. 6.55 billion for 2024/25, slightly higher than the current fiscal year's budget of Rs. 6.48 billion. Deputy Mayor Chitrasen Adhikari highlighted priorities like self-reliance, quality education, health access, and environmental sustainability. The city plans to raise Rs. 1.80 billion internally and receive Rs. 2.04 billion through inter-governmental financial transfers.

Biratnagar Metropolitan City has allocated Rs. 3.49 billion for the next fiscal year, surpassing the current fiscal year's budget of Rs. 3.28 billion. Deputy Mayor Shilpa Nirala Karki detailed the budget breakdown, including Rs. 3.44 billion for expenditures and allocations for social development, health, and infrastructure projects. The city anticipates revenue from federal and provincial grants, internal income, and revenue sharing.

Lastly, Birgunj Metropolitan City presented a budget of Rs. 2.89 billion, which is Rs. 320 million less than the current fiscal year's budget of Rs. 3.21 billion. Deputy Mayor Imtiyaj Alam disclosed allocations for recurrent and capital expenditures, estimating revenue from federal equalization grants, internal revenue, and provincial transfers. Siddharthanagar Municipality introduced a budget of Rs. 1.04 billion, emphasizing infrastructure development with a focus on ongoing and multi-year projects.