Mar 30, Kathmandu- Finance Minister Barshman Pun has given instructions to prepare the budget for the next financial year 2081-082.

Finance Secretary Krishna Hari Pushkar, Revenue Secretary Ram Prasad Ghimire, Joint Secretaries of the Budget Writing Committee, Heads of all Divisions, Heads of Departments and Director General and Deputy Director General of the Ministry gave collective instructions on the priorities of the budget on Saturday.

He said that he would focus on creating jobs through production growth and reducing foreign trade deficit by substituting imports. For that, he said that emphasis should be placed on investment and export promotion in the promotion of manufacturing industry.

The Minister of Finance asked to prepare a budget statement in coordination with the relevant ministries within the minimum common program between the ruling partner parties while preparing the budget. Minister Pun emphasized that there should be harmony between the policies and programs of the government, budget and monetary policy.

For that, he said, there should be continuous dialogue in establishing inter-relationships between the relevant agencies.

Minister Pun said that the program of linkage between agricultural produce and the market will be kept in the budget. Similarly, he emphasized that the increase in the size of production is necessary for the stability of the market. The minister has instructed to pay attention to the program to connect agricultural production with market and enterprise.

Minister Pun directed to include in the budget the issue of establishing new markets and economic centers in the areas around Madhyapahari Lokmarg and Hulaki Highway. Similarly, it has been asked to arrange that the equalization grants going to the local level cannot be amended in the middle of the financial year and to reduce the programs of conditional grants.

He mentioned that his policy is to reduce the gap between revenue estimation and revenue mobilization and to emphasize public institution reform.

Similarly, he said that the state should pay special attention to social security, prosperity and social justice and bring programs focused on women, Dalits, disabled and backward areas.