Kathmandu: Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel has said the government will prepare the budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2025/26 in close coordination with the line ministries and the National Planning Commission (NPC).

Speaking at a consultation meeting with the Ministry of Home Affairs on Saturday regarding the next fiscal year's budget preparation, DPM Paudel emphasized that collaborative efforts between the Finance Ministry, relevant ministries, and the NPC would ensure greater ownership and facilitate effective implementation of the budget.

"If the budget is prepared through discussions among the three parties, there will be uniform understanding of priorities and challenges. It will also make it easier to address problems during implementation," Paudel said.

He also underlined the importance of aligning government policies and programs with the budget framework, urging ministries to present their proposals based on available resources and national priorities.

The meeting was attended by Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, NPC Vice-Chairperson Dr. Min Bahadur Shrestha, Finance Secretary Madhu Kumar Marasini, and senior officials from Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force Nepal.

Paudel’s remarks come as the government gears up for the formulation of its annual budget, amid calls for fiscal discipline, realistic targets, and efficient resource allocation.