Nepal’s budget for the fiscal year 2026/27 has sparked discussions across the country. While the government has shown ambitious plans for economic growth, infrastructure development, digital transformation, and public services, the real question remains: How much do ordinary citizens know of these policies and what are their thoughts? To find out, I spoke with people along the route from Imadole to a badminton club in the area, gathering their opinions on the new budget, its positive aspects, and its negative aspects.

Ayush Deep Neupane, 24, Architect

The problem currently is that there is a crisis going on. There are issues of homelessness and joblessness. The bus fare has increased to Rs 25. Going and coming costs Rs 50, and over a month it adds ups. But the average salary is still around Rs 25,000. This is a time to give relief to working people and lower income people. In this budget, the government increased the salaries of government workers, but what about those in the private sector? I am struggling to save money, and the government is taking even more. The government justifies increasing taxes by saying it provides services, but Nepal's taxes are comparable to countries like India, Vietnam, and Armenia, while the quality of services remains poor. Transportation and education are expensive, government insurance is not very effective, and private insurance is costly. It feels like the burden is falling on people who are already struggling to save money. For example, they are even increasing the cost of electricity by adding VAT.

Hira Neupane, 45, Housewife

I haven't looked at the budget in detail. But I find that there have not been many services or policies aimed at common working people. The increase in government employees' income is good, but this increase in income could also cause the prices of goods to rise. So, what will the labour and working class do? I looked at previous years' budgets as well, and there was no significant impact that made our lives easier. At least this year, I am hopeful that they will do something to improve our lives, whether through better services or other measures.

Gopini Sanjel Ghimire, 50, Shopkeeper

Everyone is having a hard time right now due to the recent increase in prices, from bus fares to the shortage of gas. The price of gas has gone up by Rs 200–300 before we even realized it. The prices of other goods have also increased. Hoping for something new, we voted for this government as well. So, let's wait and see how these policies will impact people. The main thing is that they should not negatively affect our businesses and daily lives, but instead make life easier. Compared to last year, it does seem better, and I expect there to be some positive changes. The budget appears to be focused on investment, which could be a good thing.

Kabita Oli, 37, Shopkeeper

I don't generally have much interest in budgets and other political matters. I am busy focusing on managing our business, work, and children. It's just that the VAT on electricity seems a bit unnecessary. People with low financial stability will have to suffer because of this. Services like education, health, and electricity should be provided either for free or at minimal cost. So, I disagree with this increase in VAT. Other than that, I haven't looked much into this year's budget.

Krishna Hari Timalsina, 80, Farmer

We expected electricity bills to decrease, but instead they increased. We should be encouraging greater consumption of Nepal's electricity within Nepal by making it more affordable. I believe taxes are necessary, and the government has every right to collect them. However, the government also needs to show results. Where are the improvements in education and healthcare services? There needs to be a clear reason for increasing taxes. If the government provides quality services to the population, then increasing taxes is understandable. But right now, many people feel that taxes are increasing while services remain inadequate, which is why there is public frustration. I have an interest in politics, and compared to previous years, I think this government is doing a good job overall. This is simply one concern that I have. Now, we will have to wait and see how the government implements and executes this budget.

Hira Devi Bhandari, 47, Shopkeeper

I don’t pay much attention to the budget. People like us who live as tenants will have a hard time adjusting to the increase in electricity costs, and it puts us at a disadvantage. Another concern is that when the cost of basic utilities rises, landlords may also pass those costs on to tenants. This means that it can gradually increase the overall cost of living. For families who already have difficulty managing rent, food, education, and other daily expenses, even small increases can make a huge difference. Other than that, I have not looked into the budget in much detail.

Krishna Prasad Pantha, 60, Retired bureaucrat

The size of the budget is considerably large. Overall, my analysis of the current budget is positive. It seems to consider almost every sector and focuses on industrial development, the market, and the country's economic and financial capacity. Its emphasis on infrastructure development and good governance is also a strong aspect. The plan to close down institutions and organizations that have been operating at a loss for years without significant productivity is a good decision. Redirecting those resources and budgets to more productive sectors could be great for the country. The government has also set a target of 7 percent economic growth. However, reaching that target may be difficult. There could also be challenges in managing and financing such a large budget, especially considering our current debt levels and overall financial situation, which is not very strong. One concern I have is the VAT on electricity consumption above 50 units. This could have a significant impact on common working-class people. If there is an opportunity to review any part of the budget, it should be reconsidered. The focus on digital platforms and the expansion of digital services is another very positive aspect of this budget. Overall, the budget appears ambitious, but its success will depend on the government's financial commitments.

Shyam Prasad Ojha, 52, Development professional  

The current budget seems to be very large. Its objectives and goals appear to match the country's needs. However, the main question is where Nepal will obtain the financial resources to support it. How will Nepal finance such a deficit budget? The country's existing debt obligations could create challenges in securing and managing the required funding. The idea of taxing luxury and expensive vehicles at higher rates while imposing lower taxes on more affordable vehicles seems fair in principle. However, we still have to see how these policies will be implemented in practice. Overall, the budget appears strong in theory, although some of its targets and plans seem somewhat ambitious. The focus on the development of AI and digital platforms is also a very positive aspect. In today's world, investing in technology is extremely important, and it could help Nepal keep pace with global technological advancements. Expanding digital services and technological capacity may create new opportunities for economic growth and modernization in the future.

Swyika KC, 25, Pharmacist

The increase in VAT on electricity is a negative aspect of this budget. On the other hand, the increase in the salaries of nurses who work night shifts is a very positive step. However, other workers who also perform night duties should receive similar wage increases for their night shifts. The reduction in taxes and charges on electric vehicles is also a good decision. It will encourage the use of electric transportation. At the same time, the prices of utilities and everyday goods are increasing. Therefore, wages should also increase to keep pace with inflation, similar to how the salaries of government employees were raised. Private workers are also not getting adequate holidays. During this week's four day public holiday period, many of us only received our usual one day off. If employees work additional hours or on holidays, they should be compensated with extra wages. Overall, it feels like the budget has mainly focused on government workers. While there are some positive measures, I would have liked to see more attention given to the concerns of private-sector employees and ordinary working people.

Bhagirath Bhattrai, 30, Fruit seller

For Nepal to move forward and become a developed country, we need reliable sources of revenue. One way to do that is by increasing exports and reducing our imports. To achieve this, the government is focusing on increasing domestic production and encouraging goods to be produced within Nepal. From that perspective, an additional Rs 5 on every Rs 100 of electricity consumption is not a very large amount for many people. We need to understand that the government requires revenue to invest in the country's development. Of course, some people may be significantly affected by such increases. But, for many of us, we need to think of this in a  positive way. We should also make a greater effort to buy products made in Nepal and support domestic industries. For these reasons, I think this year's budget is a positive one overall. We just need to work together to make these goals a reality.

Samidhya Shrestha, 45, Private sector employee

From a woman’s perspective, Nepal’s budget is more growth-oriented than welfare-oriented. It emphasizes entrepreneurship, employment generation, digitalization, infrastructure development, and private-sector investment, which can create long-term opportunities for women to become more economically independent. Overall, the budget has the potential to improve women's economic participation and income opportunities, but its real success will depend on effective implementation, accessibility of programs, and whether the benefits reach women across urban and rural Nepal. If implemented well, it could contribute to greater financial empowerment for women; if implementation falls short, many of the promised benefits may remain largely on paper.

Suchita Amatya, 44, Businesswoman

The good aspects of this year’s budget are the increase in the salaries of government workers, as well as the investment-focused policies aimed at making Nepal an attractive destination for foreign and private investment. However, the increase in electricity prices might cause some hardship among the working class. Along with electricity, the prices of petrol and cooking gas are also rising, which means that switching to alternatives such as induction cooking is less convenient. I also support the provision that encourages those who are financially well-off not to take social security allowances, while ensuring that those who genuinely need them can continue to receive them. Overall, I think this budget is better than the previous one. I believe that this government needs to set a new precedent for the future.