Govt working sensitively to lessen plight of disaster survivors: Minister Gurung

Kathmandu, Oct 5: Minister for Communications and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung asserted that the government was delivering on post disaster rescue and relief distribution works being sensitive towards disaster survivors.     

Minister Gurung reiterated sensitivity of the government towards the unimaginable situation facing survivors after the recent rain-induced flood, landslide and inundation.     

The Minister said it while addressing training on tax organized by the Fast Food Association Nepal today.     

Gurung, also the Spokesperson of the government, stated that the government, acknowledging the severe impacts of the disasters in the country and people, had emphasized utmost assistance to the survivors.     

He said, "The disasters hitting multiple places simultaneously led to a huge loss of lives. Road network has been disconnected. Many citizens became homeless. The government, in such a complex situation, has mobilized all concerned agencies to provide all possible assistance to those hardest hit by the disasters."     

It may be noted that torrential rainfall on September 27, 28 and 29 claimed lives of more than 200 people. The rain-triggered disasters took a huge toll on physical infrastructures and livestock as well.     

Reaffirming government's commitment to resume transportation services in a smooth manner during the festivals as Dashain, Tihar and Chhath, the Minister informed that efforts were coordinated with the Department of Roads at a war-footing to re-operate traffic movement on those roads blocked by disasters.     

On a different note, he highlighted government's focus on creating an investment-friendly environment in the country to expand service sector and create jobs.     

Noting the importance of political stability for development and prosperity, he argued, "If there is not a stable government, there is no policy stability. Unless there is policy stability, development and prosperity cannot make a stride."     

Towards this, he explained, that his party CPN (UML) collaborated with the Nepali Congress for political stability.     

According to him, it would not be natural for the public to expect immediate outcomes from the incumbent government's performance as, he explained, that policy reform would take time and its implementation could be time-consuming as well. "The incumbent government is actively working to deliver tangible outcomes that people can feel," he reaffirmed.     

On the occasion, Minister Gurung feted Erika Gurung, a silver medalist at the recently held Asian Games, Chef Govindanaran Singh KC as well as the children of the Fast Food entrepreneurs and social organizations, informed Raju Shrestha, Association's President.(RSS)