Kathmandu: Prime Minister and Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Chair KP Sharma Oli has said the government was in a journey of holistic development of the nation by further strengthening nationality and urged party central members not to doubt about this.
In his address to an inaugural session of the party’s Central Committee’s second plenary here today, the Prime Minister said the government had courage to fight for truth, continuing efforts for prosperity.
“The government with a clear two-thirds majority is in a position of pursuing the dream for development and prosperity by combating poverty, hunger, and backwardness,” he said, adding the government was proactive to take the country to a new phase of development.
“The Nepal Communist Party is in the government with a clear majority and the people’s mandate through the election. We are in the course of pursuing rapid economic development. We are active to make the country self-sufficient. If any weakness, it can be corrected, but our mission be clear and determined.
“We will gradually enter into the phase of export of energy; and agro products making the country self-sufficient on agricultural productions,” the Prime Minister said, calling upon the utilise the mandate and opportunity for nation building.
‘MCC be endorsed soon’
Prime Minister Oli said the Parliament should not to make a further delay in endorsing the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) which will, as per the agreement, ensure the US grants and technical assistance for Nepal to construct several projects. As he said, Nepal and the US hand signed the MCC agreement on September 14, 2017 during the premiership of Sher Bahadur Deuba.
Stating that though questions were being raised over some provisions in the five-year agreement, he said there seemed no alternative to its endorsement. He urged not to spend more time in unessential debate on the agreement as it was neither for underestimating, insulting the country or was neither like of the Indo Pacific Strategy. Interest and priorities of the nation be kept first while accepting the foreign grants and assistance.
Diplomatic talks for border disputes
The Indian side was informed through a letter first time that India’s political map released recently by incorporating Limpiyadhura, Nepal’s territory, as its (India’s) part was against the Sugauli Treaty, according to the Prime Minister who said he would speak about it in the Parliament in detail.
“The border disputes can be settled through mutual talks and dialogues and we are making efforts for the same. The government does not ignore the interest of nation as it has a courage to fight for nationalism and truth. We can sit for talks anyone on the basis of principle of sovereign equality,” he said.
All-round development and achievement
Sharing about the achievements of the government in the last two years, he maintained that construction of Trishuli Three ‘A’ Hydroelectricity Project, the breakthrough of the tunnel of Bheri Babai Multipurpose Project using tunnel boring machine, the speeding up of the construction works of the international airports, initiation of management improvement of other airports and the starting of construction of national buildings including the Federal Parliament Building in this connection.
The PM also mentioned the construction of the Nepal-India 400Kv Transmission Line, implementation of the People’s Housing Programme, starting of the works on the Melamchi Water Supply Project with the aim of completing it within this fiscal year, the construction of 228 health post buildings, the post-earthquake reconstruction taking unparalleled speed and the completion of reconstruction of 387 heritages out of 753 archaeological heritages.
He also stated that arrangements have been made to provide school textbooks free of cost in time, that the technical and vocational education has been expanded, the health insurance programme has been extended, that the remuneration of employees and workers has been increased, that e-governance has been implemented and the 4G service expanded, that the helpless people living on the streets of Kathmandu have been rescued and the sports sector has been promoted and encouraged.
Likewise, the Prime Minister referred to the enactment of new laws, various works being done for the implementation of federalism, the initiation of measures to curb corruption, expansion of relations with neighbouring countries as well as other countries and the preparations being made for organising the Sagarmatha Sambad. He hoped that this will increase investment and tourists in Nepal, which will support the prosperity.
Stating that works on leasing out the land and property of Nepal Trust to Yeti Holdings had been started since past, he clarified that the current agreement and renewal with it were in keeping with the laws and in consonance with the market price.
Chair Oli also expressed the hope that the meeting would be successful in providing clear guidelines towards giving completion to the party unity process and mobilization to the lowest rung. —
