Kathmandu, June 24: Responding to queries raised during question hour at the meeting of the House of Representatives the other day, Minister for Education and Sports Amod Prasad Upadhaya informed that the government has been providing additional financial assistance to public higher secondary (10+2) schools following the criteria fixed by the government.
Stating that a classification has been made for the assistance after the government felt that higher secondary schools in remote districts are short of means and resources, Minister Upadhaya said efforts are also being made to extend the period of the World Bank Project for physical improvement of such schools.
He also said the temporary secondary schools in the district will be made permanent next year as far as the available means and resources permits.
Minister Upadhaya was replying to queries from MPs Tilkumar Meyangbo and Ganga Prasad Nepal.
Likewise, replying questions relating to His Ministry, Minister of State for Agriculture and Cooperatives Baldev Sharma Majgainya said there is a need of a chemical fertilizer factory taking into consideration the increasing demand for chemical fertlizers in the country but there is no immediate plans to set up such a factory.
The necessity of 100 mw of electricity and lack of raw materials and gas has led to the delay in setting up of the factory, he added.
Referring to the involvement of salt trading, cooperatives federation and other organisations in the supply of chemical fertilizers in the country, Majgainya ruled out the possibility of shortage of fertilizers.
There is no programme to implement the livestock development project this fiscal year in Dailekh district, Majagaiya said, adding that the agriculture inputs corporation, branch office in Salyan district would not be closed down.
Asking the Minister of State questions were MPs Ganga Prasad Nepal, Prakash Jwala, Pashupati Chaulagain and Nara Bahadur Hamal.
Similarly, responding to queries relating to His Ministry, Minister of State for Population and Environment Shivaraj Joshi said action has been initiated to declare Kakrebihar a environment protected area and Rs. 2,000,000/ has been allocated for the purpose.
The government is monitoring the works of national and international organisations for controlling population growth rate and death rate, Joshi added.
Minister of State Joshi replied to queries from MPs Hridayaram Thani and Shankernath Sharma.
Also replying queries raised by MPs relating to the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation, Minister of State Mohammad Aftab Alam said there is no programme to control landslides in Hangdeva VDC of Taplejung district.
Stating that there is no provision for the post for surveyer at Dailekh district forest office, Alam said the necessity of such a technician is fulfilled through the Ministry of Land Reform and Management.
Minister of State Alam replied to queries from MPs Tilkumar Meyangbo and Nara Bahadur Hamal.