Notable success in social justice, prosperity: PM Prachanda

By Arpana Adhikari,Kathmandu, June 30: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has made public main works and achievements performed by the coalition government in the last six months after the government was formed on December 25, 2022. The government has completed six months on Monday. 

On Thursday, the Office of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers released a 77-point list of the government's achievements in the last six months. 

The PM’s Secretariat has characterised this six-month period as successful in establishing social justice, good governance and prosperity.

The 77-point progress report of the present coalition government led by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ includes tasks of reviving the national economy, accelerating development work, establishing good governance, combating corruption, enhancing service delivery and promoting social justice and enhancing national interest.

The Prime Minister has proudly announced that the coalition government has successfully provided electricity access to 96 per cent of the population from 93.58 per cent within a span of just six months.

The government has claimed the addition of 408 MW of electricity to the national grid as a significant achievement. With this addition, the total installed electricity capacity has reached 2678 MW. As a result, the population with access to electricity has increased by 2.42 per cent. 

Describing his visit to India as a success, the Prime Minister stated that Nepal and India had signed an initial agreement on a long-term energy deal. The agreement entails the export of 10,000 megawatts of electricity from Nepal to India in the next 10 years, the report stated. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed for the construction of the Fukot Karnali (480 MW) and Lower Arun (669 MW) hydropower projects. Additionally, the foundation-laying work of the Butwal-Gorakhpur transmission line (400 KV) has been successfully completed.

Furthermore, there are ongoing discussions and negotiations for a power trade agreement between Nepal, India, and Bangladesh, which aims to facilitate the export of up to 40 megawatts of electricity from Nepal to Bangladesh.

As a remarkable accomplishment in enhancing communication infrastructure, a total of 1,238 km of optical fiber has been successfully laid under the Information Highway Project.

Likewise, 4G service has been extended to 739 local levels, covering approximately 66 per cent of the population. The density of internet customers has reached an impressive 132.76 per cent. To achieve a paperless government, 60 agencies have joined the integrated office management system, 

while the system has been successfully implemented and operational in 28 agencies. 

Highlighting the operation of Pokhara International Airport as a significant achievement, the government said that it had prepared an action plan to facilitate and regulate international flights from the airport. 

The Prime Minister asserted that the government had established a new benchmark in combating corruption. “The policy of zero tolerance towards corruption has been rigorously enforced across all levels of the government.”

The report further stated that the government had undertaken a fair investigation into the fake Bhutanese refugee scam and has successfully held the guilty parties accountable for their actions.

Additionally, the government has highlighted the progress in legislation, with nine bills being registered in the parliament (7 in Lower House and 2 in Upper House). Likewise, bill aimed at amending and consolidating eight laws received drafting consent, in-principle consent was granted to eleven bills and 17 regulations, three formation orders, and five guidelines have been approved. 

The report also highlights the authentication of the bill that amends the Citizenship Act as another significant achievement.

The report also highlighted the progress in tourism. Total 446,989 tourists have visited Nepal starting since January 2023. The number of tourists visiting Nepal has more than doubled compared to the same period last year. 

The government has highlighted the amendment of laws and the call for complaints as a significant accomplishment in tackling the issue of loan shark. A total of 23,118 complaints have been addressed, demonstrating the government's proactive response to this problem.

Similarly, the government has acknowledged the lodging of complaints with the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority as another noteworthy achievement. 

A total of 11,373 complaints have been registered with the Commission during this period, of which 9,374 complaints have been concluded, 78 cases of corruption have been filed and claimed damages of worth Rs. 11.1 billion and 80 cases have been appealed to the Supreme Court for reconsideration.

Furthermore, the Prime Minister highlighted the reopening of immigration offices at key northern border points, including Rasuwagadhi, Hilsa, and Kodari.

The Prime Minister highlighted the successful completion of maintenance work on the Melamchi water supply project, ensuring regular water distribution. He mentioned that an additional 166,000 people now had access to treated drinking water through various projects.

Furthermore, the government has taken significant initiatives, including the establishment of a dedicated fund to foster innovation, research, and development. 

Additionally, the government has prepared directives for free cervical cancer screening, resulting in a total of 129,355 individuals already benefiting from this service. 

Moreover, the air rescue service has successfully provided assistance to 68 pregnant women in need, while 340 vulnerable children have been rescued during the specified period.

Regarding development projects, the Prime Minister mentioned the implementation of initiatives to streamline processes and remove obstacles, ensuring timely completion of all projects, including those of national importance.

The government has been working by placing utmost importance on the goals of implementing a wide range of policies, enacting relevant laws, launching transformative programmes and reforming administration, the report stated.  

According to the report, concluding the remaining tasks of the peace process and transitional justice without further delay are among major focus areas of the government and it has been working accordingly. 

The government has been firmly dedicated to safeguarding national interests through the adoption of an independent and balanced foreign policy, the report added. 

Furthermore, the government has been working to foster a dynamic economy that achieves broad, sustainable, and inclusive economic growth. With a focus on quality social development, security, and justice, the administration aims to maintain macroeconomic stability while strengthening federalism and promoting good governance, the report stated. 

These efforts are expected to generate income and employment opportunities domestically, the report added. 

The government has implemented the immigration information system “Nepalport” in all immigration offices and replaced handwritten visas with system-generated visas featuring QR codes, read the report.

It further said that efforts have been made to ensure the easy availability of passport services, resulting in the distribution of over 1.8 million electronic passports thus far.

Likewise, a total of 22 new border outposts have been established at various locations, bringing the total number of border outposts to 250. 

The number of countries that have established diplomatic relations with Nepal has now reached 181, according to the report. 

By harmoniously implementing financial and monetary policies, revising capital credit guidelines, and boosting the morale of the private sector, the government has successfully made the economy more dynamic, read the report. “These measures effectively addressed liquidity constraints, high-interest rates, pressures on foreign currency reserves, and the downturn in the capital market.” 

The report further said foreign investment of Rs. 35 billion is being secured through 274 projects in the industry sector, which will result in the creation of 14,613 jobs.

The government has also distributed land ownership certificates to 642 landless Dalits and squatters and Nepal-India Transit Treaty has been renewed with amendments, stated the report.