Birgunj Restores Ward Budgets Cut After Gen Z Protests

The 19th Municipal Assembly of Birgunj Metropolitan City on Monday, December 29, approved a proposal to restore 25 percent of the ward-level budget that was cut earlier by a special assembly following the Gen Z protests.

The budget had been reduced after protests on September 8 and 9 caused damage across the metropolis. Citing widespread damage to municipal structures, the special assembly prioritised reconstruction and trimmed ward allocations.

Mayor Rajesh Man Singh said the latest assembly has decided to keep the ward-level budget allocated by the 17th assembly intact for the current fiscal year. He added that resources would be mobilised separately to fund reconstruction works.

Of the total Rs 3.22 billion allocated for the current fiscal year, Rs 1.13 billion has been spent so far. Recurrent expenditure stands at 34.78 percent, while capital expenditure is at 32.64 percent, according to the mayor.

Singh also said the metropolis aims to establish subsidised medicine shops, expand laboratory services, and bring the municipal hospital into operation within the current fiscal year.