Kathmandu, Dec 26:
Prime Minster Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has addressed the nation on the occasion of completion of a year since the formation of the government under his leadership.
He addressed the nation from the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers based in Singha Durbar.
In course of the address, Prime Minister Dahal shared details of the key initiatives, progresses and achievements made so far in the areas of promoting good governance and social justice as well as the economic development of the country in the past one year since he assumed office.
Present on the occasion were cabinet members, secretaries of different ministries and high-level government officials.
Chairperson of CPN (Maoist Centre), Dahal was elected the Prime Minister on December 25 last year.
The incumbent government has carried out its performance placing good governance, economic prosperity and social justice in top priority.
Production-based subsidy system in the offing-PM Dahal
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said that the production-based subsidy system will be implemented soon.
In his address to the nation on the occasion of completion of a year of the incumbent government today, he said the state investment has not dropped in agriculture but productivity has not increased. “Subsidy and fertilizer distribution will be made based on classification of farmers from next fiscal year to reach out to the real farmers with subsidized agro loan”.
Sharing that the production-based subsidy system will be implemented in the key foods and vegetables, PM Dahal pledged to make due payment to the milk farmers by the end of coming April. “But, such reform will not be sufficient for leap forward in agro sector”, the PM admitted. He further informed that 401,000 metric tons of chemical fertilizers were ensured for the farmers on time.
On the occasion, he shared that irrigation facility was provided to additional 21,168 hectares of land through surface and underground projects in the period.
As many as 296 dip tube well and 3,244 shallow tube well irrigation systems were installed, the PM claimed.
The government is prepared to declare (2081-91) as the decade of investment in agriculture to spur investment in agriculture sector from governments, private, development partners and cooperatives for the transformation of agro sector in Nepal.
“Construction of integrated agriculture and livestock centers with 30 labs will be completed by the mid-July 2024”, he said, adding, “Measures will be introduced to reduce the effects of rising import and climate change”.
He expressed the commitment to initiate canal development system for agriculture productivity.
Government will change its style of working: Prime Minister
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said that the government shall change its style of working.
In an address to the nation on the occasion of the completion of one year of his government today, he said that the legal, policy and procedural complexities of infrastructure development will be solved based on a work schedule and time table.
He also announced making structural changes in the Prime Minister’s Office, to give an indication of the way forward. “Though the government did not fail but the outcome is not as per my willingness to deliver during this term,” he said while pledging to self-assess on the basis of not about how much the country has achieved but how much it could have achieved.
The Prime Minister pledged not to spend time in attending to programmes except that are already pre-scheduled and unavoidable. “I have come to conclusion to start working on the new policy and programme, and the budget, while addressing the problems in development and governance,” he said. This will be the starting of changing the working style of the government.
Pointing out complications in clearing hurdles in infrastructure development, including in using forest land and land acquisition, he said. “I will put an end to the tendency of obstructing the country’s development by pointing fingers at one another. I believe that if needed infrastructure development should be given top priority even by declaring an emergency,”
Scope of health insurance will be expanded, says PM Dahal
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has announced to expand the scope of health insurance.
In an address to the nation on the occasion of the completion of one year of his government today, Prime Minister Dahal said the insurance scheme has not proceeded according to the spirit of the National Health Insurance Act introduced during his previous tenure in 2074.
But the current government will improve it to realize the constitutional right of citizens to health with a high priority, he said. For this, policy and procedural reforms for the effective implementation of insurance, capacity building of the insurance board, strong monitoring and evaluation mechanism, increasing in the scope of insurance coverage and comprehensive improvement in the structure and quality of services, he informed that the government is taking care of the insurance.
The Prime Minister also expressed the commitment to increase the current ceiling in insurance coverage, while all the free health programs will be included in the health insurance in an integrated manner.
With a focus on health insurance, the health system will be development according to the integrated health infrastructure development standards, he said.
Sports tourism will be promoted: Prime Minister Dahal
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has expressed the commitment to develop sports tourism in the country.
In an address to the nation on the occasion of the completion of one year of his government today, Prime Minister Dahal said with the success achieved by Nepali athletes a big foundation for sports tourism has been prepared in the country. This needs to be coupled with necessary infrastructure.
“Nepali cricket players made it to the World Cup without a well-equipped sports ground. Now every possible effort will be made to prepare well for the World Cup,” he said.
Prime Minister Dahal also said that the cricket grounds of Tribhuvan University in Kirtipur, in Mulpani of Kathmandu, the Phapla cricket ground in Kailali, and the cricket ground in Biratnagar and Gautam Buddha Cricket Stadium in Chitwan will be upgraded and developed as a project of national pride in coordination with all three levels of government.
He also shared that 252 athletes who won medals in South Asian and Asian sports competitions have been provided with monthly allowances, while the victorious cricket team members were honoured with cash prizes. “Along with these incentives, the government’s focus is now on building sports infrastructure.”
The government will leave no stone unturned to achieve the great potential of sports tourism by developing athletes, sports and sports infrastructure from the grassroots.
PM vows to amend style of annual policy, programme and budget
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has announced a shift in the ongoing style of the government’s annual policy and programme, and budget from the upcoming fiscal year.
Addressing the nation today to unveil his government’s achievements made in the past one year, the Prime Minister admitted that traditional style of policy and programme could not bring about results and added that a new style would be embraced.
Prime Minister Dahal argued that the traditional way of budget making has failed to allocate budget to the priority projects and make true estimates on expenditure, leading to direct impact on capital expenditure. “I plan to move ahead in a new style by changing the system of policy making and budget preparation,” he added.
Prachanda also shared that the principles and priorities of the budget for the upcoming fiscal year would be made public in February and the feedback from the people’s representatives and general public would be taken on it.
He stated that policy, structural and legal measures would be taken with the target to obtain double-digit economic growth rate.
The Prime Minister was of the view that the government is making the best possible efforts despite the journey to development and prosperity so far was not satisfactory.
In his address, the Prime Minister said that he would not make claim about the complete success of his government but announced that he would change the government’s working style with this concern and self-review.
Similarly, the Prime Minister made the announcement that he would not attend any of the public events except for some prescheduled and compulsory ones and added that his focus would be on new policy and programme, budget preparation, and resolve the issues in the areas of development and good-governance. “This will be a departure to change the government’s working style. I am making changes to the structure of the Office of the Prime Minister this week,” Dahal stated.
Coming decade will be a decade of rapid development: PM Dahal
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said that the coming decade will be a decade of rapid development.
In an address to the nation on the occasion of the completion of one year of his government, Prime Minister Dahal said at least two shifts working model will be guaranteed in infrastructure development to be carried out in a ‘barrack model’. “Development will be carried out in a way that the citizens could feel it.”
Outlining the achievements of the previous year in the field of infrastructure development, the Prime Minister said 776.61 kilometers of black-topped roads were constructed along with 587.5 kilometers of gravel road. Another 181.29 kilometers of new tracks have been opened.
Stating that the under-construction Narayangadh-Butwal or the Muglin-Pokhara road sections could be taken as an example, Dahal said negative comments are being made by the public because the projects are not completed on time, which not only lead to increased cost but also inflict a lot of suffering on the people.”
Preservation of traditional indigenous culture is common responsibility of all Nepalis: PM
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said it is the common responsibility of all Nepalis to protect and preserve the traditional indigenous culture.
“The traditional indigenous culture of various castes, linguistic and cultural groups is the identity and prestige of the Nepalis,” he said while addressing a programme organised by Jyapu Culture Development Trust at local Basantapur today on the occasion of the 20th National Jyapu Day.
The PM described the traditional fairs, festivals, cultural heritages and activities as the priceless assets of Nepal. “Nepal is a common country of various castes, linguistic, religious and cultural communities. Although small in terms of its geographical size, the biodiversity, enchanting natural heritages and the social structure found here remain as typical in the world,” he said.
Stating that Nepal is rich in terms of ethnic, linguistic, religious and cultural diversity, PM Dahal said every community has taken the culture as an inseparable part of their life.
“I am confident that the National Jyapu Day would help promote mutual friendship, amity and tolerance not only amongst the Jyapu people within and outside the Kathmandu Valley, but also among the citizens of various faiths and culture from different communities and regions,” the Head of Government said on the occasion.
Noting that it is the State’s responsibility to conserve the historical and cultural heritages, to keep own traditions alive and align them with the new concept of development, he said the government is committed to preserve and promote the culture, keeping this fact in mind.
Prime Minister Dahal maintained that the government applauds the efforts of Jyapu people within the Kathmandu Valley in preserving their traditional unique culture despite of several obstructions.
He also congratulated the Jyapu community for their initiatives for cultural preservation through the Trust that was initiated from a small assistance of the government, and for celebrating the 20th National Jyapu Day.
The PM pledged further assistance to the Trust from the government side in the coming days.
PM Dahal mentioned that he during his first premiership had decided to celebrate Nepal Sambat as National Sambat and made mandatory decision to use Nepal Sambat in government documents during his present third premiership and the decision is being implemented.
He stressed, “I am constantly struggling for the identity and rights of all communities, caste, gender and groups as per the specialty and social structure of the Nepali society. I want to make sure that there would be support from government’s side and my own in coming days too. ”
The Prime Minister wished that National Jyapu Day could disseminate the message of national unity and prosperity by spreading new enthusiasm and happiness among all communities, not only in Jyapu community.
Similarly, Nepali Congress leader Prakash Man Singh pointed out the need that all should be united in conservation and promotion of Newari language, heritages and culture.
Deputy Mayor of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Sunita Dangol, explained that the KMC has paid special attention in conservation of Jyapu community and archeological heritages.
Likewise, Trust Chairperson Mangal Krishna Singha and Coordinator of National Jyapu Day, Dhan Bahadur Maharjan, they have been moving ahead coordinating in the task of promoting Jyapu culture nationally and internationally.
On the occasion, the Trust honoured Prime Minister Dahal with shawl and letter of appreciation for his decision of using Nepal Sambat in government’s documents announcing Nepal Sambat as National Sambat.
DGM Shakya honoured
Deputy General Manager of the Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS), Raju Shakya, has been honoured on the occasion of National Jyapu Day.
The Trust honoured Shakya, involved in journalism since three decades, for his remarkable contribution in promotion of Jyapu community through media sector. The Trust honoured 27 individuals of different sector including DGM Shakya for their contribution in promotion of Newari language and Jyapu culture on the occasion.
Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS)
