Fact Check: Nepal’s New Advice Collection Portal and Budget Timeline

### Claim 1 – Launch of the Advice Collection Portal for FY 2083/84 BS Evidence - Two leading Nepali news outlets reported that the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers introduced an “Advice Collection Portal” to gather public input on policy, programmes, and the budget for fiscal year 2083/84 BS. One article listed the year as 2083/084 BS; the other used the AD equivalent 2026/027 BS, a likely typographical error. - Both sources describe the portal as a digital platform where citizens, experts, and policymakers can submit suggestions directly to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat.

Verdict Mostly true. The core fact—that the portal was launched for fiscal year 2083/84 BS—is supported, despite a minor inconsistency in year notation.

Analysis The discrepancy stems from a formatting mistake; the Nepali Bikram Sambat year 2083 corresponds to AD 2026‑2027, matching the other source’s calendar reference. The launch is therefore confirmed.

### Claim 2 – Policy and programmes to be released on the Monday after May 9 2024 Evidence - Both reports state that the government’s policy and programme documents will be released on the “coming Monday” following the May 9 2024 announcement. - Calendar verification shows that the Monday after May 9 2024 is May 13 2024.

Verdict True. The timing aligns with the calendar and is consistently reported.

Analysis No contradictory information appears. The government’s schedule is clear and matches the cited date.

### Claim 3 – Dipa Dahal said the portal follows the Prime Minister’s plan to include public aspirations Evidence - Both articles quote the Prime Minister’s press and research expert, named Dipa Dahal (spelled Deepa in one report), stating that the portal implements the Prime Minister’s intention to incorporate public aspirations and expertise. - The statements emphasize that the portal narrows the gap between citizens and the state and sets a new standard for good governance.

Verdict Mostly true. The comment is consistently attributed to the Prime Minister’s communications officer, with only a minor spelling variation.

Analysis The name variation does not affect the substance of the statement. The official’s remarks confirm the portal’s intended role in participatory budgeting.

What to watch next Monitor the portal’s usage statistics and the content of the budget documents released on May 13 2024 to gauge how public input shapes Nepal’s fiscal priorities.