16th Plan stresses on integrated infrastructure development, IT use: PM Dahal

KATHMANDU, APRIL 25: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said the 16th periodic plan will focus on integrated infrastructure development and extension and utilisation of information technology. Addressing an inaugural session of the National Development Council’s meeting here today, the Prime Minister said the 16th plan will accord priorities to agricultural commercialization, promotion of product-based industries, employment-based education and quality healthcare services.

High priority should be given to the promotion of tourism, the creation of domestic job opportunities and the development of integrated settlement, according to the Prime Minster. To address this need, the Plan is required to focus on innovation and entrepreneurship development through youth-target domestic and foreign investment, according to the government head. Stating that the government acknowledges the private sector as instrumental for economic prosperity, the Prime Minister said the Plan has endorsed the facilitating roles of government, community, non-government and development partners in efforts aiming to find economic prosperity.

He said he is hopeful that the Plan will rightly determine its visions, goals and investment estimations. Insisting on collaborative efforts among the three-tier government to implement the Plan successfully, the Prime Minister said it is necessary for the governments at all levels to mobilise revenue concisely to manage investment and public expenditures. ”

The Plan expects to secure a significant investment from the private sector, according to the Prime Minister who is hopeful that the goals, objectives and strategies of the Plan will contribute to seeking an effective role of the private sector in economic expansion through the promotion of investment, production, productivity and employment,” he said He pressed the need for a regular and result-oriented monitoring and assessment system during the implementation of the Plan. He also expressed his hope the National Planning Commission will develop an integrated framework for economic reforms and implement it in coordination with all bodies concerned.

Similarly, the Chairperson of the CPN (Unified Socialist) and former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal emphasized the need to keep agriculture a priority in the 16th plan, saying forest and mining-based industries should be established and policy-level mistakes should be removed. “The government should move ahead making the private sector into confidence and it should take a policy of encouraging the private sector”, he added. Sharing that the development of the hydropower and tourism sectors would make a significant contribution to the country, Chair Nepal stressed that the government should pay its all attention to these sectors.

Likewise, Vice-Chairperson of the Rashtriya Swatantra Party and Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security, Dol Prasad Aryal, pointed out the need for all political parties, bureaucracy, and general people should move ahead joining hands to maintain good governance. “The country has to depend on import due to legal complexities despite having necessary means and resources for its development and prosperity”, he said, adding existing laws should be revised in order to utilize available means and resources. Chairperson of the Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health and Population, Upendra Yadav, underlined that the 16th plan should be forwarded making federalism strong. “The country cannot be prosperous until provinces are made resourceful. The planned development concept should be forwarded for the country’s development”, he stressed.

Chairperson of Nagarik Unmukti Party and former Minister Ranjita Shrestha said national economy should be made strong by maintaining good governance and establishing social justice in health, education, employment and other sectors. Shrestha opined, “The working capacity should be maximum utilized making the inter-relation of all three strong to achieve the goal and objectives of the 16th plan. It is necessary that all political parties should be responsible and united with a common goal for the country’s prosperity.”

Laying emphasis on the need to move ahead in selecting prioritized projects in the country’s economic development, former Finance Minister Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat stressed the need to pay special attention to project selection and budget allocation. Similarly, former Finance Minister Dr. Yubraj Khatiwada said a policy of getting more results from low investment should be adopted, adding country’s economy has been improving in recent periods. V

ice-Chairperson of the National Planning Commission Dr. Min Bahadur Shrestha shared that the NPC should be restructured and make it further strong legally, expressing the view that it would be easier to implement the strategy and action plan of the 16th plan only if the NPC becomes strong. Parliamentary party leaders of the political parties represented in the Federal parliament, Deputy Prime Ministers, ministers, Chief Ministers, Chairpersons of Federal Parliamentary Committees and national security advisors were present on the occasion. —