Kathmandu: The half-yearly review of the budget for the current fiscal year (2081-82 / 2024-25) reveals that the government has achieved 39 percent of its targeted income and 35 percent of its projected expenditures as of mid-January.

According to the Comptroller General's Office, total government expenditures reached Rs 667.6 billion, which accounts for 35.89 percent of the annual target of Rs 1,860.3 billion. Of this, recurrent expenditure stood at Rs 452 billion, representing 39.63 percent of the allocated Rs 1,140.7 billion.

Capital expenditure, however, remained significantly lower, with only Rs 56.9 billion spent—just 16.16 percent of the total allocation of Rs 352.4 billion. Under fiscal management, Rs 158.7 billion has been spent, achieving 43.2 percent of the allocated Rs 367.3 billion.

On the revenue front, the government collected Rs 574.8 billion, or 39.06 percent of its annual target of Rs 1,471.6 billion. Tax revenue contributed Rs 489.4 billion, achieving 38.11 percent of the target, while non-tax revenue collections amounted to Rs 70.3 billion, or 51.97 percent of the target.

In terms of foreign aid, the government aimed to secure Rs 52.3 billion in foreign grants for the fiscal year. By mid-January, it had received Rs 7.37 billion.

The data highlights the need for improved budget utilization, particularly in capital expenditure, which is critical for infrastructure development and economic growth. The government faces the challenge of ramping up spending efficiency in the remaining half of the fiscal year to meet its targets.