Nepalgunj, Jan. 19: A two-day regional discussion programme on “National Working Policy for Sustainable Development of Nepal” organised under the joint auspices of the National Planning Commission (NPC) and World Conservation Union (IUCN) began here Thursday.

The programme is aimed at holding discussions on whether the policy and programmes of the past helped in the sustainable development of the country and providing inputs for the formulation of plans in the future.

Altogether 51 persons including DDC chairmen, vice-chairmen and members, municipality mayors and deputy mayors, VDC chairmen, representatives of government bodies and non-government organisations and journalists are taking part in the programme.

Experts from NPC and IUCN Nepal are also taking part. Inaugurating the programme, NPC member Dr Jagdish Chandra Pokhrel disclosed that the commission has been making a mid-term evaluation of the Ninth Plan and its programme, financial investment, achievement, failures, shortcomings and the technical aspect.

He also said that the regional discussion programme will be followed by a national level discussion programme and the resulting conclusions on the national working policy of Nepal will be presented at a programme to be organised in Bolivia next month.

From the chair, Surkhet DDC chairman Balkrishna BC accused His Majesty’s Government of working against the norms of the Self-Governance Act.

Mayor of Nepalgunj Municipality Dhawal Shumsher Rana said as sustainable management will lead to sustainable development serious attention should be given to the financial aspect essential for a project.

Dr Badri Dev Pandey of ICUN Nepal shed light on the programme and expressed confidence that it would provide information on achievements under the working policies of the past, the good and bad aspects, reasons for failure as well as help in reforming our style and working procedure.