Pokhara: Chief Minister of Gandaki Province Surendra Raj Pandey has asserted that the concerns raised about the relevance of the provincial structure should be addressed through tangible works. CM Pandey made this statement at a review meeting organized by the provincial Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development and Transport Management in Pokhara. The meeting aimed to review the performance of the provincial government and its subordinate agencies.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Pandey urged the Heads of subordinate agencies to accelerate development efforts by prioritizing quality. He emphasized that the provincial government, ministries, and subordinate agencies should respond to questions about the province’s relevance through effective work. CM Pandey highlighted the significant responsibility of the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development and Transport Management, which has been allocated a substantial portion of the provincial government’s budget.
For the current fiscal year,
38 percent of the province’s total budget has been allocated to the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development and Transport Management. Since the establishment of the government, the provincial government has spent over Rs 75 billion on developing and expanding physical infrastructures. This has resulted in the construction of 696 km of gravel roads, the blacktopping of 901 km, and the building of 103 bridges.
CM Pandey claimed that the provincial government’s effective delivery has allowed citizens to access services conveniently, giving an impetus to development works since the province’s establishment. However, he also pointed out challenges in completing ongoing projects due to budget cuts from the federal government.
He mentioned that the federal government has yet to grant the Gandaki Province government around Rs 2 billion of the pledged grant from the last fiscal year. This delay has left the provincial government with a liability of around Rs 3 billion. CM Pandey expressed concern that federa
l budget cuts after the selection of projects in the province have further increased the provincial government’s liabilities.