Kathmandu, July 1 -- Budget deliberations have stalled in four provincial assemblies after ruling party lawmakers opposed spending plans introduced by their own governments, exposing widening cracks in the administrations and delaying the passage of budgets for the new fiscal year.

Contrary to the parliamentary practice of beginning discussions soon after a budget is tabled, debates have yet to commence in the provincial assemblies of Sudurpaschim, Lumbini, Karnali and Koshi. As of Tuesday, there is no certainty on when deliberations will begin.

The deadlock is most pronounced in Sudurpaschim, where the Provincial Assembly has remained largely inactive for the past two weeks.

The province is governed by a coalition led by the Nepali Co...