Gandaki CM presents plans, projects to PM

By A Staff Reporter Kathmandu, May 22: Gandaki Chief Minister Krishna Chandra Nepali Pokharel has called on Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and handed over a list of plans and projects of the province to be included in the upcoming federal budget.

CM Pokharel handed over a list of the province’s plans to be included in the federal budget in an effort to make significant contributions for building a prosperous nation through religious, cultural and tourism development of Gandaki and strengthening inter-province coordination and development.

The federal government is engaged in the final preparation of policies and programmes and fiscal budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2022/23. The government is scheduled to present the budget in the parliament on May 29.

"For national development and inter-province coordination, there should be investment partnership between the federal government and the provincial government in some projects of national pride and strategic importance. Such projects need to be implemented in mutual coordination," reads the list.

CM Pokharel has drawn the attention of Prime Minister Deuba citing that the necessary laws and standards should be developed to ensure smooth operation of such projects in the areas where projects of national pride and province pride should be operated, stated a press statement issued by press coordinator of CM Pokharel.

After receiving the documents, Prime Minister Deuba said that the prosperity of the entire country depended on the prosperity of the province and local level and added that the plan from Gandaki would be given priority. He pledged to send the document of plans to the National Planning Commission and the Ministry of Finance and include as many plans in the budget as possible.

Chief Minister Pokharel has drawn the attention of the federal government to implement the Uttarganga reservoir Hydropower Project from fiscal year 2022/23 with the investment partnership of the province government to bring it into operation.

This project, which can be constructed at low cost, would be vital for the national economy along with Gandaki province, he said.

He said, "I request the government to move ahead with the work to start the Budhigandaki Reservoir Hydropower Project from the next fiscal year and also create an environment for investment sharing in the project of Gandaki Province government.”

Chief Minister Pokharel has demanded that a plan be made to build a Mukti Marga connecting Muktinath to Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, with the coordination and investment of both the provinces and for the promotion of religious tourism in Gandaki and Lumbini.

It is mentioned in the memorandum that Pokhara be declared the tourist capital of Nepal and investment be ensured for the protection and development of the major attraction Phewa Lake of Pokhara and implementation of the Phewa Lake Conservation and Development Master Plan.

The CM has urged to promote Nepal-China bilateral trade and commerce by developing customs infrastructure at three international borders connected to Gandaki, Korala in Mustang, Triveni in Nawalparasi and Larke in Gorkha.

He has demanded for development of the express highway connecting the tourist capital Pokhara and Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, as well as blacktopping of Buddha Singh Marga, which is an alternative route.

The Chief Minister has also requested for the development of an environment that will ensure investment in partnership to re-operate the Gorakhkali Rubber Industry and Bhrikuti Paper Factory.

It has also been requested to include Narpabhumi Rural Municipality of Manang in the plans 

made by the central government as it is not yet connected to the road network.

He also requested the Prime Minister to allocate a budget for the establishment of BP International  Sports Village at Gaindakot in  Nawalpur and Trauma Centre in Nawalpur.