Kathmandu, Jan. 10: An interaction programme on matters relating to the concept of remote areas, criteria for classification of remote districts and the strategy to be adopted by the government to develop the remote districts was held at the Parliament Secretariat today.

Experts and scholars on subjects relating to remote areas, representatives of government and non-government organisations and members of Parliament participated in the programme.

Speaking at the programme National Assembly Chairman Dr. Mohammad Mohsin said the committees are the main organs of the parliament and that the under consideration bills should be discussed in the committees.

Chairman of National Assembly Remote Area Committee Krishnalal Thakali said a high level commission on effective and coordinative remote area development should be constituted under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister to finalise the role of the ministries and departments in the overall development of the remote areas.

Chairman of Public Service Commission Santa Bahadur Rai pointed out the need to give special attention to the economic condition of the people living in the remote and Himalyan districts of the country.

National Planning Commission member Dr. Jagdish Pokhrel said people living in the remote districts have become more backward due to the trouble caused by the so called Maoists.

Rajparishad member Jonden Ukyab, chief advisor of New Era Dr. Harka Bahadur Gurung, ex-secretary Madhusudan Dhakal, Dr. Chandra Prasad Gurung of wwf and Dr. Mahesh Baskota of icimod also expressed their views at the programme chaired by remote area committee chairman Krishnalal Thakali.

mps Yubaraj Gyawali, Balaram Ghartimagar, Goma Devkota, Komal Ghale, Mohan Raj Sharma and Bir Bahadur Singh also expressed their views on the occasion.