Development happens when people demand it: PM Oli

By Prem Adhikari / Kokila Dhakal,Pashupatinagar (Ilam), July 13: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that if the people wish, the country’s development will happen quickly.

Participating in a programme held on Saturday in Mai Municipality of Ilam, Prime Minister Oli stated that if people show interest, the country’s development will happen swiftly.

Prime Minister Oli said that no one should obstruct development and construction works and urged everyone to participate in the development process. He said, “The government is committed to development, please be a positive partner in this mission.”

Avoiding any comment on political matters, Prime Minister Oli said that the construction of the Madan Bhandari Highway has opened the door to development. 

He said that all three tiers of government should engage in the marketing of local products such as betel nut and bananas.

Prime Minister Oli urged the hospitals to provide maternal and child health services. He assured the people of Mai Municipality that they would receive clean drinking water within next two years. 

He mentioned that the Madan Bhandari Highway was constructed in an unexpected and unimaginable manner.

“Development will occur. People will get benefit. We must move forward in modern agriculture by adopting new ways of farming, new methods of animal husbandry, and using new technologies,” said Prime Minister Oli. “The municipality has made efforts, and work in these areas must continue,” he added.

Prime Minister Oli also urged not to use chemical pesticides. The Mayor of Mai Municipality Khamba Singh Limbu presented various proposals covering education, health, drinking water, irrigation, and tourism. 

The Prime Minister expressed his commitment to gradually supporting those proposals. 

On the occasion, Prime Minister Oli also watched a documentary prepared by Mai Municipality on agriculture, tourism, and economic potential.

On this occasion, Mayor Limbu submitted a memorandum with various demands for the development of the municipality. The programme was attended by Koshi Province Chief Minister Hikmat Karki and others.

Inauguration of Mai Municipal Hospital

Prime Minister Oli inaugurated the newly constructed Mai Municipal Hospital in Mai Municipality, Ilam. The hospital, built at a cost of Rs. 107 million from the federal government, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Oli in a ceremony held on Saturday.

Prime Minister Oli officially inaugurated the hospital by watering a plant on the hospital premises. 

On the same day, he also laid the foundation stone for a large drinking water project to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 250 million.

On the same occasion, Prime Minister Oli distributed land ownership certificates to landless squatters of Mai Municipality, Ilam.

Out of 152 landless squatters in Mai-4, the Prime Minister handed over land ownership certificates to five individuals. The rest were distributed by the municipality. There are 7,000 landless squatters in the municipality.

According to the Land Commission, there are 22,240 squatters across Ilam district. Mayor Limbu of Mai Municipality informed that 72 per cent of the land in the municipality is unregistered (ailani).