Government is in favour of taking grants, not loans under BRI: Govt. spokesperson

Kavrepalanchowk, Nov 26: Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, has made it clear that the government will not accept loans under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Minister Gurung who is also the government spokesperson said that the government will not take loan but could sign grant agreement under BRI during Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's upcoming official visit to China. 

Addressing a programme marking the first anniversary of 'madanibeat.com', a news portal run from Kavrepalanchowk, in Dhulikhel today, he said: "Views have been coming from two perspectives regarding whether or not to implement BRI, but the government is not of the opinion that the BRI agreement should be done immediately. Since MoU to this effect has been made, it should be implemented."   

He reiterated that it is not the government's policy to take loans from wherever it is available. "We do not take loans from whichever country, but we do take grant. If China provides the grant, we will accept it and there can be an agreement on this," the government spokesperson added. 

Stating that it is not unusual for differences to be there in connection to BRI, he said, "Countries that have made well-informed agreements on BRI projects have been faring well with them; we can see that these projects have been implemented as 'game-changer' projects in those countries."

The Minister insisted that the present government is working with commitment to boosting democracy and the citizens, saying the government has been carrying out its activities keeping development and construction works at the centre and with a positive mindset.

As he said, it is the government's responsibility to move ahead by resolving the inter-ministry misunderstanding regarding some development projects, as these projects are found to be protracted.

He said a situation has arisen in which the government will have to find out as to why the capital expenditure could not take place in the context of even half of the around Rs 300 billion set aside for capital expenditure out of the Rs 1 trillion and 850 billion budget.

"Let us make an appraisal as to why the capital expenditure could not increase - whether due to the failure to formulate policy in time or for any other reason. It is also necessary to bring about improvement in our working style. The state apparatus should be operated systematically, and development and construction works should be made the primary agenda," Minister Gurung said, stressing on the need of proper utilization of the means and resources.

Expressing his concern over presentation of anarchic and indecent matter getting prominence in the social sites, the Communications and Information Technology Minister urged the communication media not to go after baseless news. He said families were disintegrating due to the false news and information, calling on the media to exercise the press freedom becoming sensitive as 'serious situation to the extent of suicide have occurred due to unsubstantiated news in the media'. 

He suggested to the media and the media persons not to default on their responsibility of publishing and broadcasting, remaining within their ethics. The Minister shared that discussions have been initiated in the parliamentary committee regarding the Mass Media Council Bill as the Press Council is inadequate to regulate the media.  

He expressed the confidence that the parliament will in its upcoming session pass the Bill Related to Use, Operation and Regulation of Social Sites as it has already been presented to the Council of Ministers for approval. (RSS)