Kathmandu, June 2 -- With the total national budget of Rs2.12 trillion for the fiscal year 2026-27 unveiled by Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle on May 29, the Nepal government has allocated Rs10.53 billion to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation. This marks a decline from the previous fiscal year's allocation of Rs13.28 billion to the ministry.

The budget remains ambitious, proposing several conservation and development programmes for the domain of art, culture and heritage.

However, artists, heritage conservationists and cultural activists, despite their appreciation for the progress, express dissatisfaction with the failure to propose constructive dialogues regarding their meaningful representation.

Musician Ishan Raj On...