Lumbini Province land of potential: Finance Minister Poudel

Kathmandu, Feb 4: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Bishnu Prasad Poudel, said that the prosperity and potential of the Lumbini Province are interconnected with the greater development of Lumbini.     

Taking part in a discussion programme on ‘Lumbini’s Potential’ organised by the Kantipur media group in Bhairahawa today, the Minister insisted on the need for Lumbini’s greater development to keep the Buddha-era civilisation intact. He pledged that there would be no budgetary constraint for the Lumbini Master Plan.     

International flights at Gautam Budha Airport should be continued, the House of Representatives from Rupandehi-2 said, adding that the continuity of international aviation service from Lumbini would support the holistic development of Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha.     

The Finance Minister went on to say that increase of production and jobs in the Terai plains was the government's priority to see a rise in the GDP. “Bheri Babai Irrigation Project, the project to supply Rapti’s water to Kapilvastu and the Kaligandaki Tinau diversion projects have their contributions to the agricultural production in the West Terai," he reminded.     

Sharing about the government plans for promoting systematic urbanization centring on Kohalpur of Banke, the Dang Valley and Bhairahawa of Butwal, he said the Lumbini Province (comprising 12 districts including Rupandehi) was one of the attractive destinations for investment for the private sector. “The Province is being developed as a fertile zone for industries and entrepreneurs,” the Minister claimed.(RSS)