Govt makes public details of Rs 8.39 b spent on COVID-19 response

KATHMANDU, June 13: Following public pressure, the government on Saturday made public the details of Rs 8.39 billion it has so far spent in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The details of the expenditure made by all three tiers of government have been made public as per the decision of Central Crisis Management Center Directorate Committee, according to PM’s Press Advisor Surya Thapa.

According to the details, Rs 4.10 billion has been spent by the seven federal ministries. Defense Ministry has spent Rs 2.40 billion, Health Ministry has spent Rs 1.58 billion, Home Affairs Ministry has spent Rs 24.58 million, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation has spent Rs 52 million, Ministry of Urban Development has spent Rs 26.97 million and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Rs 14.2 million so far.

The government has spent Rs 5.62 billion in COVID-19 response. Of them, Rs 3.90 billion has been spent to buy medical supplies, Rs 1.12 billion in development of health infrastructures, Rs 58.33 million to mobilize human resources, Rs 135.59 million for developing quarantine facilities and 40 million in miscellaneous topics.

Similarly, the provincial governments have spent Rs 1.30 billion so far. Province 1 government has spent Rs 193.5 million, Province 2 has spent Rs 133.94 million, Bagmati Province has spent Rs 136.7 million, Gandaki Province has spent Rs 154.21 million, Province 5 has spent Rs 77.9 million, Karnali Province has spent Rs 239.28 million and Sudurpaschim Province has spent Rs 364.87 million so far in COVID-19 response.

Likewise, the local governments have spent Rs 2.98 billion.