Govt unveils policies, programmes : CA election high on agenda
KATHMANDU, July 4 - Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala on Wednesday presented the policy and programs of the government for the next fiscal year in the interim parliament, giving top priority to improving security required for Constituent Assembly Polls slated for November 22. Koirala, who heads the coalition that includes former rebels, said the state has given topmost priority to making the polls a success because it will end the old order and begin a new era.
Hinting that the king's days are numbered, the octogenarian leader told lawmakers that an event comes only once in an era and Nepal is going to witness that event soon. In his indirect reference to the monarch leaving the country Koirala said, "As Mahatma Gandhi said the British rulers will help Indian independence movement by feet, we are also coming close to something similar."
Koirala urged lawmakers not to expect too much from the upcoming budget. "It's rainy season, dashain festival will follow soon and election will be next, so there is no time for budget implementation but the supplementary budget to be presented later this year will offer something good to the people."
The prime minister also called upon lawmakers to be ready for drastic changes in the current socio-economic set up. "Only after socio-economic change can we feel the real revolution."
After finishing his remarks, Koirala asked his deputy in the cabinet, Peace and Reconstruction Minister Ram Chandra Poudel to read out the policy and programs of the government.
The policy document said the eight-party coalition government would take all major decisions through consensus and tackle the challenges collectively.
It said the government will give priority to dialogue as a means to settle all regional, ethnic and other social conflicts in order to create a peaceful atmosphere for polls. The government policy, however, warned of strong action to control violent and criminal activities. The policy document has also promised to enact legal provision to keep highways free from any kind of strike.
Referring to some violent activities continuing in the terai despite the government's earnest efforts to resolve the problems amicably, the document said, "Such violent criminal activities shall not be tolerated and those responsible shall be dealt with through stern action."
The government has promised to set up State Restructuring Commission as soon as possible and a separate taskforce for necessary homework for proportional share of all ethnic groups, women, madhesis, dalits and other backward sections in the state agencies.
The government also said it would implement the concept of special economic zones, revise foreign investment policy and take initiatives for setting up industrial security force to ensure safety of industrial investment and to promote export.
The policy paper also stated that the government would initiate the process of nationalizing late king Birendra's family assets and parks and reserves controlled by the Royal Palace.
Program & policy highlights
Security top priority
State restructuring commission to be formed
Taskforce for proportional share in state organs to all disadvantaged groups
Legal provisions to free movement on highways
Local bodies to be run through political consensus
Salary increment pledged for govt employees
Democratization of army and proper management of PLA cantonments
Hinting that the king's days are numbered, the octogenarian leader told lawmakers that an event comes only once in an era and Nepal is going to witness that event soon. In his indirect reference to the monarch leaving the country Koirala said, "As Mahatma Gandhi said the British rulers will help Indian independence movement by feet, we are also coming close to something similar."
Koirala urged lawmakers not to expect too much from the upcoming budget. "It's rainy season, dashain festival will follow soon and election will be next, so there is no time for budget implementation but the supplementary budget to be presented later this year will offer something good to the people."
The prime minister also called upon lawmakers to be ready for drastic changes in the current socio-economic set up. "Only after socio-economic change can we feel the real revolution."
After finishing his remarks, Koirala asked his deputy in the cabinet, Peace and Reconstruction Minister Ram Chandra Poudel to read out the policy and programs of the government.
The policy document said the eight-party coalition government would take all major decisions through consensus and tackle the challenges collectively.
It said the government will give priority to dialogue as a means to settle all regional, ethnic and other social conflicts in order to create a peaceful atmosphere for polls. The government policy, however, warned of strong action to control violent and criminal activities. The policy document has also promised to enact legal provision to keep highways free from any kind of strike.
Referring to some violent activities continuing in the terai despite the government's earnest efforts to resolve the problems amicably, the document said, "Such violent criminal activities shall not be tolerated and those responsible shall be dealt with through stern action."
The government has promised to set up State Restructuring Commission as soon as possible and a separate taskforce for necessary homework for proportional share of all ethnic groups, women, madhesis, dalits and other backward sections in the state agencies.
The government also said it would implement the concept of special economic zones, revise foreign investment policy and take initiatives for setting up industrial security force to ensure safety of industrial investment and to promote export.
The policy paper also stated that the government would initiate the process of nationalizing late king Birendra's family assets and parks and reserves controlled by the Royal Palace.
Program & policy highlights
Security top priority
State restructuring commission to be formed
Taskforce for proportional share in state organs to all disadvantaged groups
Legal provisions to free movement on highways
Local bodies to be run through political consensus
Salary increment pledged for govt employees
Democratization of army and proper management of PLA cantonments
Source: The Kathmandu Post, July 4, 2007
No comments:
Post a Comment