Kathmandu, Jan. 7:Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai inspected the Ministry of Housing and Physical Planning today.
Issuing directives after the inspection, Prime Minister Bhattarai said development of attractive plans does not bear any meaning unless they are implemented honestly and dutifully by the ministry.
Describing as encouraging the arrangements being made to start construction work under the Melamchi project very soon, he said it would be a great achievement if the project is completed a little before the stipulated time.
He also gave assurance that if we are able to expedite the project implementation, it would not be difficult to mobilize the remaining U.S. $ 170 million.
It is a matter of happiness that the Ministry of Housing and Physical Planning has set aside necessary amount in the present budget to develop two major cities in the hill area Palpa and Dhankuta, two major cities in the Terai Birgunj and Nepalgunj, and the capital city Kathmandu into model cities.
He also instructed the ministry to expedite the work on building a satellite city at Harisiddhi which is aimed at controlling population pressure in Kathmandu city.
Minister for Housing and Physical Planning Bal Bahadur K.C. thanked the Prime Minister for visiting the ministry and encouraging the ministry staff and highlighted various problems of the ministry.
Earlier, secretary at the ministry Khagendra Basnet had briefed about the ministry’s activities.
On the occasion, chief of the Melamchi Drinking Project Dinesh Chandra Pyakurel and the chief of the Harisiddhi Satellite City Building Project provided detailed information about the projects.
Chief advisor to the Prime Minister Dr Narayan Khadka and press advisor to the Prime Minister Kishor Nepal were also present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Bhattarai directed members of the landless settlers problems resolution commission to prepare an interim report within three months.
Directing Minister of State for Land Reforms and Management and chairman of the commission Dr Gangadhar Lamsal and the commission members today, Mr Bhattarai noted that distribution of land alone will not help resolve the problems of landless settlers.
The Prime Minister spoke of the need of deep study, analysis and thinking to find a long-lasting solution of the problem.
Prime Minister Bhattarai has directed that necessary measures should be taken immediately to prevent the embezzlements that take place on the pretext of providing people foreign employment.
The Prime Minister gave the directive after acquiring information on programs under implementation by the ministry of labour, as part of a process of acquiring information about the state of implemenation of development programs and other activities under the various ministries.
The Prime Minister stressed the need for progressively tackling the weaknesses and failings seen in foreign employment and reforming the laws and regulations pertaining to labour administration as required.
He also urged that additional efforts should be made for promoting foreign employment, working out an action plan with the cooperation of all towards implementation of a national labour policy and paying special attention to the eradication of child labour.
Pointing out that the main objective of the present majority government of the Nepali Congress is to expedite the country’s socio-economic development, bring about qualitative improvements in the services and facilities being enjoyed by the general public and make these affordable and just, he said the government is determined to bring corruption under control.
Earlier, the Prime Minister was briefed by Minister Bal Bahadur K.C., Minister of State Ram Bahadur Gurung and secretary Damaru Ballav Bhattarai on the efforts made in the implementation of the ministry’s work and programs, the main work carried out by the ministry, the problems encountered and efforts to tackle them.
On the occasion, the chief advisor to the Prime Minister, Dr Narayan Khadka, was also present.