Kathmandu, Mar. 1: Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai has said it has become urgently necessary for us to take stock of the past shortcomings and enhance the dignity of parliament for the development of the multi-party democratic system restored through people’s sacrifices.

Mr Bhattarai made this remark while addressing the joint meeting of the House of Representatives and the National Assembly beginning here today.

Expressing confidence that our efforts in this parliamentary session will be focussed more on people’s welfare, the Prime Minister asserted that the present government will remain active in the task of nation building and rise above narrow party politics for the welfare of all.

Though we have undergone many ups and downs before democracy has taken its roots, we have reached a point where we have realised that democracy has no alternative for the progress and unity of the nation, said Mr. Bhattarai adding, Nepalese people mandated the Congress Party in the last general elections for peace, security, development and good governance for the sake of which he has remained active after he assumed the post of Prime Minister.

Noting that as a result of government efforts to solicit all party consensus and intensify multi-dimensional efforts including political and administrative for ensuring peace and security in the country, a group which has pursued the path of violence in the name of Maoists has come closer to holding talks, he hoped that some concrete results will come out of it soon.

The Ganeshman Peace Campaign launched for helping victims of terrorist activity and rehabilitating those who want to live a normal life by doing away with such activity has taken a positive direction, he said, adding, remarkable steps have been taken to ensure law and order, remove corruption and red tapism, and effect legal, administrative and policy reforms.

He also said His Majesty’s Government has started a plan of action to prepare a manual for making effective use of services, goods and facilities available at the local level, adding that it is because of the government’s commitment to ensure good governance we have not heard of distortions and aberrations today which we often heard in the past and this is positive.

Economic trends indicate that economic growth rate is expected to reach six per cent this fiscal year, tax revenue is increasing satisfactorily and the volume of export trade has increased by 42 per cent in the first six months of the current fiscal year, said the Prime Minister adding, development expenditure has increased remarkably, a positive trend has emerged in price situation and foreign exchange reserve has swelled to Rs. 84 billion.

Stating that a total ban has been imposed on diesel tempos since Bhadau, 2056 B.S. and an arrangement has been made requiring all new vehicles to meet pollution standards, the Prime Minister observed that in view of the drinking water problem in Kathmandu Valley, necessary arrangement is being made for implementing the Melamchi Drinking Water Project.

His Majesty’s Government has already taken steps to put into practice the decision of setting up a godown for storing 40,000 metric tonnes of foodgrain, the Prime Minister said, noting that Puwa, Modi, Khimti and Bhotekoshi hydel projects will be completed this fiscal year.

The government is optimistic of preparing groundwork for resolving the Bhutanese refugee issue vis-a-vis the diplomatic initiatives and talks, he said, adding that His Majesty’s Government has already decided to open a Royal Nepalese Embassy office in Doha, the capital of Qatar, for safeguarding the interests of Nepalese workers in the Gulf region.

A decision has already been taken to celebrate the year 2002 as a destination Nepal Year which is expected to see the in-coming of some one million tourists, he noted.

In keeping with the policy of setting up 20 primary health centres every year in every parliamentary constituency, additional 20 health centres have already been opened, the Prime Minister said, observing that the national polio immunisation programme and the special polio immunisation campaign launched with the aim of eradicating the disease concluded successfully.