Connect citizens with production: CM Pandey

By Our Correspondent,Waling, Feb. 2: The Chief Minister of Gandaki Province, Surendra Raj Pandey, has said that the economy will be sustainable only if citizens can be connected to production. Saying that the economy has not been sustainable lately, he stated that there would be no economic sustainability until there were more productive activities.

While inaugurating the 8th Walling Festival that kicked off on Thursday in Walling of Syangja district, Chief Minister Pandey said that the province was paying special attention to connecting the rural areas to production. 

The festival is jointly organised by the Walling Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Waling Municipality. 

"Villages are becoming empty due to migration. It is necessary to stop the youth in the village, for which they will have to be involved in production," he said. 

According to him, the provincial government is working in cooperation with all 85 municipalities to make the upcoming five-year plan of the province production-oriented.

Pandey said that economic development in the country could be possible only with the coordination and cooperation of the three levels of government. He emphasised that everyone's cooperation was necessary to make the province self-reliant.

CM Pandey said that the fair held at the local level would be important for the preservation of local art and culture. 

He said, "Let's make proper use of the local fairs and festivals to make it economically viable so that it can have a good effect on every aspect of economy, culture and everyday life."

The festival started at Waling Stadium and will run for 10 days. 

Chet Narayan Shrestha, President of the Walling Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that the festival was important for the promotion and marketing of local products.