Finance Minister Madhukar Shumsher Rana has urged donors to continue providing assistance to Nepal, despite the recent political changes here.

“Donors are not into politics. So, we expect that any political change in the country will not lead to alteration in their assistance policy,” said minister Rana, speaking at a function in Kathmandu on Tuesday.

Saying the donors have adopted ‘wait and see’ strategy in the changed context, the minister said, “I am confident that they will not slash assistance but will rather increase it, as we are reeling under poverty.”

He further informed that the government had enough avenues to raise revenue to tide over any budgetary crisis. “The government estimates the economy to post a growth of 4.3 percent given the latest improvement seen in the security situation in the country,” he said.

Saying some problems have been noticed in the capital due to the so-called bandh called by Maoists, the minister said the government has already directed the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies to coordinate activities to monitor the supply system in the capital.

Speaking on the ongoing insurgency, minister Rana said, “Solution to the insurgency lies in ensuring economic equity.”

Focussing on mobilizing local means and resources while carrying out development projects, Dr Shankar Sharma, vice-chairman of National Planning Commission, said, “Community based development programmes are effective in delivering positive results.” nepalnews.com pd Feb 23 05