Kathmandu— The government of Nepal is set to present the annual budget for the fiscal year 2082/83 in the Federal Parliament today. In line with the constitutional provision mandating the presentation of the budget on Jestha 15, Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel will unveil the new budget in Parliament.

Along with the annual budget, Minister Paudel is also scheduled to present several related bills, including the Finance Bill, the Appropriation Bill, the Bill on Raising National Debt, and the Debt and Guarantee Bill.

The Ministry of Finance is preparing to introduce a budget of approximately NPR 2 trillion. It is anticipated that the health sector’s budget will see a modest increase this year, potentially reaching around NPR 100 billion.

Initially, the National Planning Commission had allocated a budget ceiling of NPR 82.88 billion for the Ministry of Health. However, following repeated requests from the current Health Minister, Pradip Paudel, the ministry received an additional ceiling of NPR 13 billion, raising the total ceiling to NPR 96 billion.

Based on this revised allocation, it is likely that the health sector will receive close to NPR 100 billion in the upcoming fiscal year.

The budget is expected to include programs focusing on health infrastructure development, health insurance, digital health initiatives, and the promotion of the production of essential and life-saving medicines and medical supplies.