Finally after two years, the country got its annual budget on time. With a major focus on the upcoming Constituent Assembly (CA) elections and hydropower sector, Finance Minister Shankar Prasad Koirala presented a full budget of Rs 517.24 billion for the next fiscal year on Sunday.

Amid mixed reactions and differing analyses coming in from various sectors, the budget allocation seems to satisfy the youth, if not make them overtly happy.

According to the financial statement, 16 per cent of the total budget, Rs 80.95 billion, has been allocated to the education sector. Minister Koirala stated, “While making investment in the education sector, I have given special attention to expand access on basic education, improvement on quality of education, development of vocational education and results of school education.” Rs 1 billion has been allocated with the aim of making 1,650,000 people literate under the ‘Literate Nepal Campaign’ program to eradicate illiteracy within the next two fiscal years.

Likewise, equally encouraging is the allotment of Rs 610 million to provide market demand based short term training to over 31,000 youths.

Giving his opinion about the government’s budget presentation, Ranjit Karna, President of Nepal Student Union, said, “I don’t think the budget this year has introduced anything new. I would say this is just a repetition of similar budget schemes presented every year. I have doubts that the allocated budget in the education sector will be implemented as promised. It would have been more effective if the government had introduced solid employment policies. That is what most youths today are in need of.” He further claimed that the current budget has failed to bridge the gap between the privileged and under-privileged groups of students.

Agreeing with Karna, Sarad Rasaili, Chairperson of All Nepal National Independent Students Union-Revolutionary (ANNISU-R) aligned with CPN-Maoist opined, “I don’t think the budget addresses the country’s present needs. Neither does it seem promising enough to bring in new changes. Talking about the budget allocation in the education sector, I think that the government should focus more towards introducing skill oriented schemes. The university curriculum in Nepal is outdated anyway. If technical education is prioritized, youths won’t have to go abroad seeking work.”

Similarly, Professor of Education at Tribhuvan University, Bidya Nath Koirala also expressed his on-the-fence views at the budget presented. “I am very neutral about the budget presentation because like every year, this too gave a formal continuity to the budget presentation culture. Basically, there was nothing new. Of course, the budget allocation in the education sector is encouraging, but I wonder if it will be executed,” he said.

On the other hand, the Government of Nepal has allocated Rs 1.265 billion for the Ministry of Youth and Sports in this fiscal year. The amount is almost double the budget allocated in the last fiscal year. Rs 510 million has been allocated for development of sports infrastructure – Rs 300 million of which is for the infrastructure development for the 13th South Asian Games (SAG), including constructing international standard stadium, multipurpose covered hall and sports academy, and Rs 210 million has been allocated for the continued development of sports infrastructure. Rs 50 million has been assigned for the construction of Mulpani and Bhairahawa cricket grounds. The financial statement also mentions setting up High Altitude Sports Training Centers in Jiri and Lukla.

Yubaraj Lama, Member Secretary of the National Sports Council expressed his happiness at the government’s realization that development isn’t possible without first investing in the infrastructures. “I am sure that this budget will bring lots of positive changes in Nepal’s sports scenario in the coming year. We are also all excited about hosting the 13th SAG,” he exclaimed.

Education budget at a glance
• Rs 160 million to provide skill development, entrepreneurship and self-employment training to 22,000 youths and vocational trainings to another 50,000 youths
• An incentive of Rs 500 thousand will be provided to two community schools of each district that deserve excellent result in SLC.
• Rs 1.87 billion allocated as a scholarship to all girl students and Dalit boy students of grade one to eight, 60,000 poor and talented students including two third of girls student in secondary level, all students of marginalized communities and differently-abled students of class one to 10.
• Rs 1.85 billion to provide free text books for all students studying from class one to 10 and students of 11 and 12 grade of targeted communities, students in Karnali zone and all differently-abled students.
• Separate budget for the construction of additional 5,812 school buildings and 2,000 female toilets. Libraries will be established in 1,053 schools. 846 school buildings will be renovated.
• Rs 1 billion to provide access to information technology and computers for students, to connect internet in 7,143 public schools and provide computers.
• Rs 760 million to provide skill development training for 150,314 teachers to improve the quality of education.
• Rs 630 million to provide market demand based short term training to 31,500 youths on technical subjects. Poly-technical institute will be constructed and operated in Rolpa and Bhojpur districts.
• Rs1 billion to make 1,650,000 people literate under the ‘Literate Nepal Campaign’

Sports budget at a glance
• Rs 300 million to develop the infrastructures for the 13th South Asian Games
• Rs 210 million to continue the development of sports infrastructure
• Rs 50 million for the on-going construction of cricket grounds at Mulpani, Kathmandu and Bhairahawa
• Separate budget for programs such as youth capacity development, youth manpower mobilization and operation of youth information center
• Separate budget to conduct the Presidential Running Shield, blind and deaf cricket and table tennis program, and Para Olympics sports program under the school sports program

source: republica,16 July 2013