Kathmandu, Nov. 11, 2024

The council meeting of the Lumbini Development Trust (LDT) has approved the budget for the fiscal year 2081/82. The budget was passed under the chairmanship of the Trust’s Chairman, Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Badri Prasad Pandey, in Kathmandu. The council approved an estimated income and expenditure of NPR 775.92 million.

The Trust’s treasurer, Dhundhiraj Bhattarai (Siddhicharan), proposed a budget that included NPR 325.59 million from internal revenue and NPR 450 million from the government’s grant as the total estimated income and expenditure.

Member Secretary Sanuraja Shakya presented next year’s policy and programs, which were approved with suggestions. The budget emphasizes increasing revenue by boosting the number of visitors, expanding butter lamp lighting services, managing donations and gifts, auctioning wood, parking, land leases, and producing and distributing promotional materials for Lumbini.

Priority expenditure areas include implementing the Lumbini Master Plan, addressing UNESCO World Heritage Committee recommendations, infrastructure development, listing Tilaurakot as a World Heritage Site, and strengthening collaboration with local government bodies.

 

In his address, Minister Pandey expressed his commitment to supporting Lumbini’s development and highlighted the potential benefits to Lumbini and nearby tourist areas from the start of international flights at Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa.

State Minister Arun Chaudhary emphasized the need to make effective use of time to accelerate the work. Vice-Chairperson Dr. Lharkyal Lama noted that while the Trust has not received adequate support from the Ministries of Finance, Foreign Affairs, Home Affairs, and Tourism, if such support and open channels are provided, the Lumbini Master Plan could be completed without additional government funding, but more flexible policies are required.

The meeting also decided to form a task force to study underperforming monasteries and temples in Lumbini to reevaluate their contracts and terms. Additionally, the council agreed to restructure the organization to meet the evolving needs of the staff.

Present at the meeting were Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ministry, Secretary of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviasion Ministry, and Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, among others.