Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Anil Kumar Sinha has said that the tendency to make public expenditures without proper planning, prioritization, and outcome analysis has weakened citizens’ trust in the state.
Speaking at the Policy Dialogue Program on the Effectiveness of Public Expenditure and Improvement of Service Delivery organised on Friday by the Nepal Economic Journalists’ Association (SEJON), Minister Sinha stated that public dissatisfaction has been growing due to the failure to ensure the proper and responsible use of taxes collected from citizens.
Minister Sinha also highlighted that improving service delivery requires the use of digital technologies, effective human resource management, prioritization of expenditures, and results-oriented budget allocation. Unclear division of responsibilities among government agencies have also contributed to project inefficincies, according to the minister.
“If the prudent use of public resources and sound economic governance cannot be ensured, public dissatisfaction will naturally increase,” the minister said.
He also noted that the government is serious about ending distortions in the market such as black marketing, monopolies, and artificial shortages.
“Nevertheless, the government has prioritized expert advice while advancing its policies and programs,” he said. “It is our responsibility to bring tangible improvements in governance and service delivery by the next election and hand over responsibility in a positive environment.”
The minister clarified that the government has cut back plans and programs that were included in the budget based on power and access rather than the country’s real needs. Acknowledging complaints arising from the freezing of budgets for certain programs, he urged stakeholders to view this as part of a process aimed at improving the effectiveness of public spending.
