Kathmandu, Mar. 9:Minister for Supplies Prakash Man Singh has said the present government is determined to remove obstacles in the way of the Local Self-Autonomy Act designed to strengthen the local bodies after the restoration of democracy in the country.

Mr Singh, while inaugurating the eighth district council meeting of Kathmandu DDC here today, noted that multi-party democracy would be strengthened only if the local bodies are allowed to exercise their rights through the local self-autonomy act.

Stating that the government has launched such programme as B. P. with the Poor and Women’s Awareness programme to solve burning issues facing the nation, the Supplies Minister observed that the opposition parties have charged the government with politicizing these programmes instead of extending a helping hand.

MP P. L. Singh spoke of the need to develop Kathmandu as a model district in terms of development.

Ishwor Pokherel, mp, observed that people’s representatives should not limit themselves to formulation of plans, budget appropriation and discussions on policy matters only.

MP Dr Mangal Siddhi Manandhar said it is because of lack of suitable technology for working out, monitoring and evaluating development plans, development has yet to pick up.

Kathmandu DDC chairman Sanu Kumar Shrestha presented an estimated budget of some Rs 107 million for fiscal year 2057/58 bs.

Various other speakers including Upper House mp Dr. Ram Man Shrestha and Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan city Keshav Sthapit also expressed their views at the function chaired by senior member of the council Govinda Prasad Shrestha.