Social justice and prosperity major thrust of govt policy, programmes

By Pallav Bhusal,Kathmandu, May 15: President Ramchandra Paudel unveiled the government’s policy and programmes for the upcoming fiscal year during a joint session of the Federal Parliament in New Baneshwor on Tuesday.

Addressing both Houses, President Paudel emphasised the government’s commitment to promoting good governance, social justice, and prosperity while bolstering federalism and jumpstarting the economy to enhance domestic production and job creation.

“The policies and programmes presented today underscore our administration’s unwavering commitment to realizing Nepal’s vision of a prosperous nation, steadfast political stability, and the pursuit of socialist-oriented economic and social transformation. As we embark on this journey, we honour the sacrifices of our martyrs and extend heartfelt gratitude to all who have contributed to Nepal’s enduring political evolution,” said President Paudel.

Key priorities outlined in the government’s agenda included the implementation of the constitution, strengthening federalism, economic reform, and enhancing public service delivery. 

“Despite post-election challenges, we are resolute in our mission to better Nepal’s political, social, and economic fabric,” said President Paudel

President Paudel informed that the cooperatives would be operated in alignment with their founding principles, supported by updated policies. A dedicated regulatory body will ensure thorough oversight. Safeguarding savings and investments will be prioritized through specialized funds and recovery mechanisms.

“Cooperatives are to affiliate with the poverty management system. Integration of government-backed Sajha Cooperatives is planned. Encouragement will be given for mergers among savings and credit cooperatives,” said President Poudel.

President Paudel informed that the government prioritized production, productivity, and employment growth. Through the ‘Partnership for Production and Employment’ programme, collaboration between government tiers, private sector, cooperatives, and communities would be maintained to boost domestic production and employment opportunities.

“The government is preparing and implementing a roadmap to enhance agriculture through modernization, commercialization, and marketing. The decade commencing from  the fiscal year 2024/25 will be declared as the ‘Investment Decade in Agriculture’,” said President Paudel.

President Paudel’s presentation marked a significant step in outlining the government’s vision and roadmap for the forthcoming year, setting the stage for constructive parliamentary deliberations and concerted efforts towards realizing Nepal’s developmental aspirations.

It mentioned that remaining tasks related to peace processes and transitional justice would be completed promptly and agreement, understanding and compromises done for the peace process and conflict transformation would be archived. Additionally, a high-level committee would be formed to update the list of victims of various political movements such as people’s movements, conflict victims and the Madhes movement and to achieve sustainable solutions to these issues.

The government announced that the Federal Civil Service Act would be implemented promptly and Provincial Civil Service Act and Local Level services would be managed.  Civil servants would be made professional, motivated and highly moral by making service facilities timely, attractive, predictable and fair.

Zero tolerance against corruption will be adopted by strengthening regulatory bodies with necessary law, manpower, means and resources. Province and local level governments would also be made accountable for implementing strategies and action plans related to corruption control. Promotional, preventive and curative measures would be adopted in an integrated form by identifying high corruption-prone areas. New national strategy and action plan would be implemented to effect the United Nations Convention Against Corruption and the commitments made by Nepal in this regard.

Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) would be further strengthened as a competent institution to maintain good governance and to carry out objective investigation, research and prosecution on corruption-related acts. The National Vigilance Centre would be further strengthened to carry out preventive and promotional measures related to corruption control. This Centre would be developed as a more capable organisation for technical testing of the quality of development projects with legal arrangements.

The government has announced that drinking water would be supplied throughout the year under the Melamchi Drinking Water Project to areas outside the Kathmandu Valley Ring Road and areas connected with the Araniko Highway in Bhaktapur district.

Additionally, water would be collected from sources like the Shivapuri National Park and watersheds to provide sustainable solutions to the drinking water problem in the Kathmandu Valley. 

The government’s document presented by President Ramchandra Paudel read, “All three levels of the health service system, physical infrastructure, human resources and resources will be integrated and coordinated to ensure basic health facilities to every citizen. Health services provided by the federal, provincial and local levels will be classified.”