By Nepal News Correspondent

BIRATNAGAR, Dec. 31: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives Badri Prasad Mandal today said that the government had not provided any financial assistance for the ongoing preparation of the civic reception of Their Majesties the King and Queen by the people of the Eastern Region.

“The government has not funded a single rupee for the ongoing preparation. All financial expenditure has been borne by the public,” Mandal told The Rising Nepal today. He said that the people across the region had formed civic felicitation and welcome committees in all the districts at their own initiative.

“All are involved in the preparation of the event,” he said. “And nothing can stop the people’s desire to welcome their Majesties. We will make the event a grand success no matter what difficulties we must face.”

He noted that the parties that truly respect constitutional monarchy and multi-party democracy had taken the event as an auspicious occasion. “They have pinned faith in the event.”

Asked about the security preparations, Mandal said confidently that the government had managed the law and order situation.

DPM Mandal and Minister for Home and Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Dharma Bahadur Thapa had acquired information about the ongoing preparation of the event today.

“We have completed more than 80 per cent of the works,” informed Jeevan Kumar Nepal, spokesman of Their Majesties Civic Felicitation and Celebration Committee. Many things are to be finalised tomorrow.

Most of the guest houses, lodges and hotels have been fully booked. The publicity campaign has picked up in all the villages of the region.

Different organisations and people from different walks of like are extending their support to the event. More than 7,000 athletes from the region are taking part in the event, said Binod Shanker Palikhe, secretary at the National Council of Sports.

Likewise, farmers in different villages have vowed to attend the event at any cost. “If the buses don’t ply, I will come on a bike,” said Dukhi Lal Agrahari of Dubahi, Sunsari. “It is the happiest occasion of my life. I will not miss the event at any cost.”