Kathmandu, Jan. 20: Ministers today stressed a good coordination between the party and the government so that the latter can function smoothly to fulfill the pledges made to the people.

Sharing a forum provided by Reporter’s Club of Nepal today, the cabinet members stated that the party has a big role of alerting the government so that the government can push ahead on the track of the election manifesto and promises made to the people.

Minister for Youth, Sports and Culture Sarat Singh Bhandari said that the party president has an important role to caution the government to move on the right path. “We have taken his comments regarding the performance of the government very positively,” he added.

Bhandari assured that Nepali Congress will never break because of some minor differences as the party has overcome difficult situations in the past. The litmus test of the past is the proof that we will remain strong and intact forever. There is the proper mechanism to eliminate the gap between the party and the government. The Party-Government Coordination Committee addresses this issue, he added.

Minister Bhandari refused to speak on the issue of the possibility of cabinet reshuffle saying that it is the prerogative of the Prime Minister. Stating that Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai will remain in his post for the full term of five years, he added that complaints of NC MPs have been discussed and addressed by both the leaders.

Industry Minister Omkar Prasad Shrestha said reshuffle of the cabinet may take place if the Prime Minister thinks it is necessary. It is entirely his prerogative and it is not necessary to comment further on it, he added.

Shrestha said he has launched measures to improve the industry sector. An industry perspective plan has been formulated and a special unit has been set up to monitor the industries. He informed that industries that are in sick condition are being studied and a drastic decision will be taken about them, he added.

Minister of State for Information and Communications Govinda Bahadur Shah said that ministries should be run by following democratic norms and sharing the responsibility collectively. The role played by the party president to alert the government is positive, he added.

Referring to the division of portfolio between the Minister and Assistant and State Ministers, Shah said differences, if any, can be sorted out with proper management. “All this depends on an environment of understanding,” he stated adding that he is satisfied with the responsibility he is handling at the Ministry.

However, Assistant Commerce Minister Narendra Bikram Nemwang complained that he was not given the due responsibility by the Commerce Minister. “I feel I am getting less work to do than I deserve to do. I have reported this to the Prime Minister,” he said.

Emphasising a cordial bond between the party and the government, Nemwang said the government can be effective when every member of the cabinet is given responsibilities to discharge.

Minister of State for Local Development Mohammad Aftab Alam said that bureaucrats can hatch designs to bring difference between Ministers, State Ministers and Assistant Ministers. “It is necessary to remain cautious about it,” he added.