The government policy and programmes read out by the President on Friday at the joint meeting of the Federal Parliament for the fiscal year 2077/078 BS has incorporated mega infrastructure projects for the Karnali State–a pleasant surprise to the folks here.
Those projects include some new along with the existing ones.
Upgradation of Karnali corridor, transmission line in Bheri corridor, Phukot Karnali hydropower project, Jagadulla project, Bheri Babai project have been continued in the coming fiscal year as well. Phukot Karnali hydropower project and Jagadulla project are awaiting the final go for the implementation after completion of their studies.
Likewise, development of 500-bed hospital with specialist service of Karnali Health Sciences Academy, complete electrification of the State within two years, conservation, development and promotion of Rara Lake, physical infrastructure development at Yari point in Humla, reservoir-based drinking water project in Karnali river and establishment of a 50-bed infectious disease control hospital are the new programmes announced by the government.
As announced, the state-of-the-art infectious disease control hospital would be established in Surkhet. Likewise, the government has also stated to link Karnali river with Indian waterways.
Economic Affairs and Planning Minister of State Government Prakash Jwala said that keeping health care, agriculture and employment generation in top priority is a good thing. “Prioritisation is correct. Incorporation of some mega projects of Karnali despite the ambitious programme is good,” he said adding that the federal government has still missed some key mega infrastructure projects and they should be included in the budget speech.
Jamunaha-Surkhet-Hilsa road, Surkhet Airport and medicinal herbs processing centre are the programmes that must be included in the government policy and programmes, Jwala said.
Likewise, vice-chair of State Planning Commission Prof Dr Punya Prasad Regmi said that the principle of the policy and programmes is positive. More programmes for poverty alleviation was expected for Karnali and State No. 2 but we will include them in the state government’s policy and programmes, he argued.
Prof Dr Regmi was of the view that the policy to ensure profit to the farmers prior to the crop cultivation was a very progressive policy.
Similarly, capacity of the Food Management and Trading Company would be uplifted to store 30,000 metric tonnes.
However, entrepreneurs have complained for absence of policy for the establishment of medicinal herbs collection and processing industry.
Chairman of Federation of Karnali State Chamber of Commerce and Industry Padam Bahadur Shahi, however, expressed doubt over the implementation of the mega infrastructure projects as the upcoming fiscal year would pass fighting coronavirus. “The programme seems popular but I don’t think the country’s development speed would take place as per the policy and programmes due to COVID-19,” he said.
But, it sounds positive as health care and some infrastructure projects in Karnali have been incorporated in it, Shahi said.
Source: National News Agency
