Judiciary gets 0.45 percent of national budget despite calls for higher share

The judiciary in Nepal has been allocated a mere 0.45 percent of the total national budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2026-27, despite consistent calls for at least one percent to bolster its capacity. Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle presented the budget, which includes Rs9.4916 billion for the judicial sector. This allocation, while slightly increased from the government's initial proposed ceiling of Rs9.34 billion, falls significantly short of the judiciary's requested share.

Bimal Paudel, chief registrar of the Supreme Court, acknowledged the shortfall but expressed optimism that the additional funds would enable the continuation of reforms aimed at improving judicial administration. Key among these are efforts to expand digital court systems and enhance the overall efficiency and accessibility of justice. The budget statement also reaffirms the government's commitment to concluding the transitional justice process stemming from Nepal's decade-long Maoist insurgency.

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the judiciary had sought one percent of the national budget but did not receive the requested allocation.

However, this commitment to resolving issues through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons has been a recurring promise for 19 years without tangible progress. The recent removal of office bearers from both commissions via an ordinance has left them largely reliant on administrative staff, casting doubt on their effectiveness.

Further governance reforms mentioned in the budget include drafting a law on conflict of interest to combat policy-level corruption and strengthening asset recovery and management processes for assets obtained through criminal activities. The budget also proposes introducing digital time cards in government offices and enhancing public service systems linked to the national identity card. Provisions for free legal aid programs targeting vulnerable communities are also included, alongside plans to expand the electronic court management system to expedite the justice process.

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