The Sudurpaschim provincial government has agreed to allocate Rs20 million more budget for the pork barrel fund after leaders of the ruling coalition warned the chief minister of not allowing its endorsement from the provincial assembly.

A meeting between the government officials and leaders of the alliance reached an understanding to this effect on Saturday, said a provincial assembly member.

The Kamal Bahadur Shah-led government, through the annual budget unveiled on June 16, had allocated Rs30 million for the provincial constituency infrastructure development programme.

The budget should be endorsed by Monday, the last day of the current fiscal year.

The government agreed to increase the budget after ruling parties including the Nepali Congress piled pressure on the government. They even warned that they will not allow its endorsement through the provincial assembly until the demand is addressed.

A provincial assembly meeting scheduled for 3pm on Saturday has been delayed as leaders were engaged in hectic negotiations.

The pork barrel fund is a controversial programme as lawmakers are believed to have been misusing the funds and promoting policy corruption.

The central government has also revived the Local Infrastructure Development Partnership Programme, popularly known as the Constituency Development Fund, which was shelved for the last two years following strong criticism from different sections of society.