Kathmandu, June 2: Deputy Prime Minister and Local Development Minister Ram Chandra Paudel said the present Nepali Congress government is working towards maintaining political stability, law and order and good governance in the country through the abolition of corruption and anomalies.
Speaking at a press conference organised here today to inform the public about the works and action taken by the Local Development Ministry following the 12-point policy issued by the Council of Ministers, Deputy Prime Minister Paudel said the government has in the budget and policy and programmes reiterated its committment to development, good governance, law and order and wiping out corruption.
Stating that the Local Development Ministry is aware of the problems and irregularities obstructing execution of development, construction and administrative works in offices under the Ministry, Mr Paudel informed that an investigation is underway to probe the allegations that rice under the food for work programme is being sold.
According to a press release circulated on the occasion, a team representing a high level officer of the Ministry and the office of the Auditor General has been conducting an investigation on matters relating to irregularities held in appointment of employees, embezzlement and unnecessary formation of committees in Birgunj Municipality and the local development tarriff provided on behalf of the government has been stopped .
A similar investigation is being conducted by a team including a legal officer at Janakpur municipality in response to widespread public complaints received of financial irregularities and other anomalies, says the release.
The release also states that action would be taken following the conclusion of an investigation going on in matters relating to the construction of sewerage by Pokhara Sub-metropolitan City under the ADB-assisted second tourism infrastructure project and clarification has been demanded from Kathmandu Metropolis after it was found not to have followed the directive of the Ministry to stop the works being carried out by the metropolis to hand over Gangobu Bus Park to the private sector.
The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) as well as the Ministry has been investigating the works carried out by the monastery management and development committee, monitoring teams deputed in 13 different districts to review and monitor development projects and programmes run under the Ministry in the current fiscal year have completed their work and will now be extended to other districts also.
The Ministry has also been organising orientation programmes in all the DDCs and municipalities on matters relating to the Local Self-governance Act-2055 and regulations under it and is targeted to be completed by next month.
According to the press release, following His Majesty’s Government policy to solve the problem of solid waste in Kathmandu valley in a scientific manner and in a Long-Term Basis a project is being worked out to manage solid waste produced in the valley through the development of sanitary landfill site at Syuchatar of Kathmandu and Okharpauwa of Nuwakot district.
Likewise, the 13 proposals received from the private sector in response to the announcement made by the government to include the private sector in the final management of solid wastes is being assessed by the seven-member proposal evaluation committee constituted under the convenorship of the director general of the department of local infrastructure development and agriculture roads. Efforts are also being made to increase the effectiveness of the B. P. with the Poor programme by appointing social mobilizers in all electoral constituencies who will work to identify the poor, constitute social groups and provide them training and subsidized loan, says the release.
Following the decision of the government to remove employees from more than the specified posts, twenty-six such employees working in corporation and institutions under the Ministry have already been removed.
On the occasion Minister of State for Local Development Suresh Malla said that the press conference was organised in pursuance to the decision of the cabinet to inform the public about the works being carried out under various ministries
In Banepa, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Development Paudel has underlined the need of intellectual awareness to give a right direction to political awareness.
Mr Paudel, while inaugurating the fifth general convention of the Nepal Public Campus Association and a three-day seminar here today, urged the education experts to bring a new thinking and new perspective in the education system to check decline in the quality of education.
Stating that it is only through the participatory approach that social development can gain momentum, he spoke of the need for education-loving people to think of making political awareness effective.
MP Shiva Prasad Humagain observed that practical and technical education is need of the day.
MP Bir Bahadur Singh said the present education system is unlikely to solve unemployment problem.
Vice Chancellor of Kathmandu University Dr. Suresh.Raj Sharma remarked that if we are firm in our commitment, development activity can never be overshadowed.
The Deputy Prime Minister, on the occasion, felicitated the relative of late Chandra Bahadur Uprety and Damber Bahadur Adhikari by presenting letters of honour and shawls. Various other speakers also expressed their views at the function organised by president of the Nepal Public Campus Prem Narayan Aryal.
Meanwhile, Mr Paudel, addressing a gathering of NC district workers at Banepa today, spoke of the need for party workers to inform the people of works carried out by the government. It would significantly contribute to uplifting people’s socio-economic condition if such programmes as B. P. with the Poor and women’s awareness programme are implemented properly, the Deputy Prime Minister said, adding that the government is ready to construct the Banepa-Bardibas road as early as possible.