Govt to form 'Arrears Settlement Committee'

KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 20: The government has decided to establish the 'Arrears Settlement Committee,' chaired by Achyut Prasad Mainali, a member of the Public Accounts Committee, to address outstanding arrears.

At a news conference held by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung informed this. 

Minister Gurung, who also serves as the government spokesperson, revealed that the cabinet approved a delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel to attend the joint annual meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund in Washington, DC, from October 21-26.

Additionally, the government will form a talks team, led by a Joint Secretary from the Ministry of Finance, to negotiate on behalf of Nepal for a concessional loan of $170 million (approximately Rs 22.89 billion) and a grant of $17 million (approximately Rs 2.1 billion) from the Asian Development Bank for the Kathmandu Valley Drinking Water Improvement Project (Second). The team will also finalize documents related to a $3 million (approximately Rs 403.9 million) grant from the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific.

The Cabinet has also decided to repeal the Guidelines for Providing Grant on the Premium of Crop and Livestock Insurance, approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for establishing a bilateral consultation mechanism between Nepal and Indonesia, and authorize the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to sign the counterpart MoU.

Minister Gurung stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will also have the authority to approve visa exemptions for carriers of diplomatic and special passports between Nepal and Indonesia, as well as to sign the corresponding agreement.

Furthermore, the Cabinet has authorized the Nepal Internet Model Transport Development in Kathmandu to utilize National Forest land for constructing the Dodhara Chandani Dry Port/Integrated Check Post. The government has promoted Kamal Prasad Pokharel (Sharma) to a special class position under the Nepal Administration Service Group, assigning him to the office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers in Sudurpaschim Province.

Minister Gurung emphasized that all ministries will adhere to the government's common determination and policy commitments.