Increasing youth involvement in urban development is today's need: DPM Singh

Kathmandu, Oct 7: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development Prakash Man Singh has said that the right to housing is a fundamental right enshrined in the constitution and therefore it should be ensured. 

In a programme organized here today on the occasion of the World Habitat Day, he said that the government is working to ensure the right to shelter of marginalized, homeless, socially and economically backward citizens.

"For this, the government is moving in the direction of ensuring access to proper housing for the citizens of rural areas by implementing the Ministry of Urban Development, People's Housing Programme, the Safe Citizen Housing Programme and Settlement Development Programme," he said. The DPM asserted that the Ministry will continue efforts for this.

He said, "Federal, provincial and local governments are constantly working to achieve these goals. It has also been given high priority in the 16th periodic plan, policies, programmes and budgets of the federal and provincial and local governments.

Similarly, National Planning Commission member Dr Ramesh Prasad Singh, said that developing environment-friendly urban infrastructure is the need of the day.

Secretary at the Ministry Manilal Gelal opined that there is a challenge in the implementation of the plan to increase the involvement of the youth in urban development with the recent increase in the trend of the youth going abroad. 

Director General of Urban Development and Building Construction Department, Machakaji Maharjan, said that youth engagement should be increased for sustainable urban development and for this emphasis should be placed on creating facilities and opportunities such as education, health and employment. 

Dr Sohan Prasad Sah, vice chair of Policy and Planning Commission of Madhesh Province, and United Nations Resident Coordinator for Nepal Hanaa Singar Hamdy highlighted the involvement of youth in urban development. 

Chandragiri Municipality mayor Ghanshyam Giri emphasized on the need to proceed ahead systematically to increase youth involvement in urban development.  (RSS)