Govt to intensify fight against corruption: PM

By A Staff Reporter 

Kathmandu, June 15: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has highlighted the escalating restlessness among the reactionary and regressive forces when the government remained committed to prioritising the welfare of the people. 

Receiving a 14-point memorandum from a delegation of Press Centre Nepal at his official residence in Baluwatar on Wednesday morning, Prime Minister Prachanda reaffirmed the government's efforts to counter the regressive forces.

Prime Minister Prachanda acknowledged that the government's initiatives aimed at providing direct services to the people, addressing the concerns of Nepali citizens residing abroad, tackling anomalies and misconducts, as well as the outcomes of his recent visit to India, had collectively contributed to a positive situation in the country. 

These endeavours have paralysed reactionary and regressive forces, he added. 

The PM also pointed out the need for making people know the positive steps, as well as the outcomes of the government activities.

"We have been able to bring about many positive achievements. But,  I feel we have still a long way to go to spread this message to the people. In many instances, the achievements have been ridiculed or presented in a distorted manner by the opposition and the people have been barred from knowing the truth. We have to overcome such barriers," he added.

Additionally, the Prime Minister called for a firm protest against those who oppose the government's positive endeavours. 

He also vowed to intensify the fight against corruption even if the campaign against corruption led to the collapse of the government.

"The government is working resolutely for good governance. We have initiated the fight against corruption, for instance, in the case of the fake Bhutanese refugees. We will not give up the campaign against corruption even if we are compelled to leave the government.”

PM Prachanda, also Chairman of the CPN (Maoist Centre), however, affirmed that there was no rift among the ruling coalition partners with regard to the anti-corruption initiative.

Referring to his recent India visit, Prime Minister Prachanda made it clear that the visit had been successful from every angle, be it the agreement on the export of electricity to India, the air route to Nepal through India or India's assistance with regard to Murrah buffalo bulls.

Speaking on the occasion, Maheshwor Dahal, in-charge of the PCN, viewed that the government had to work to instill the feeling of positive outcomes among the people. 

He also highlighted the need for Press Centre Nepal members to work harder to reach out to the people with factual news and views related to the government's positive works. 

Bishnu Sapkota 'Jugal,' the chairperson of Press Centre Nepal, submitted the memorandum to PM Prachanda. Sapkota expressed solidarity with the government's fight against corruption and urged for the proper management of proportional advertisement systems. 

The event was attended by the office bearers of the Press Centre Nepal.