Damak Municipality tabled an ambitious Rs 1.47 billion budget for fiscal year 2082/083 during its 17th Municipal Assembly on Tuesday. Chaired by Mayor Ram Kumar Thapa and presented by Deputy Mayor Regina Bhattarai Prasai, the budget outlines significant investments in healthcare, infrastructure, digital governance, and social inclusion—most notably allocating Rs 390 million for the modernization of Damak Hospital.
Located in eastern Nepal's Jhapa district, Damak has emerged as a growing urban hub over the last decade. The annual municipal assembly serves as a platform for local leaders to establish priorities for the year ahead. The budget presentation comes at a time when municipalities across the country are grappling with post-pandemic recovery, rising urban demands, and challenges to climate resilience. This year, Damak's leadership is steering the city toward a more sustainable, inclusive, and tech-driven future.
"This budget reflects the aspirations of Damak's citizens for better services and a more progressive future," said Mayor Ram Kumar Thapa during his opening remarks.
Deputy Mayor Regina Bhattarai Prasai, who also heads the Budget and Program Formulation Committee, emphasized the planning rigour: "Every rupee has been accounted for. We've prioritized health, education, and inclusivity, not just growth."
The proposed Rs 1.47 billion budget is broken down into Rs 712.95 million for current expenditures (48.55%) and Rs 745.50 million for capital expenditures (50.65%).
Revenue sources include:
- Internal municipal income: Rs 349.154 million
- Federal grant: Rs 728.4 million
- Provincial grant: Rs 393.86 million
- Revenue-sharing income: Rs 293.59 million
- Public participation schemes: Rs 10 million
- Insurance claims for Damak Hospital: Rs 390 million
Primary focus areas include health, education, digital governance, youth and women empowerment, agriculture, sports, and disaster management.
The Damak Municipality's budget signals a shift from reactive governance to strategic planning. The nearly equal split between current and capital expenditure indicates a balance between maintaining existing services and investing in long-term infrastructure. The heavy emphasis on healthcare—accounting for more than a quarter of the total budget—is a bold move in a post-pandemic context and aligns with citizens' growing demand for improved medical access. Additionally, the push for a "digital city" shows foresight in preparing Damak for Nepal's tech-driven future.
Damak's newly unveiled budget positions the municipality as a rising regional model for inclusive development and public health investment. With smart allocations and bold vision, the leadership has drawn a blueprint for prosperity. However, the ultimate test will lie in execution, transparency, and whether promises are translated into tangible change on the ground.
