Prime Minister Shah discusses development issues with Koshi, Karnali MPs

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Mar. 31: Prime Minister Balendra Shah held a series of meetings with newly elected Members of Parliament from Koshi and Karnali provinces at Singha Durbar on Monday, focusing on development priorities, governance reforms and preparations for the forthcoming national budget.

During his meeting with lawmakers from Koshi Province, the Prime Minister sought detailed updates on the current situation in their constituencies. According to MPs present, he invited them to outline pressing challenges and assured them that the government would work to address these issues as swiftly as possible. Highlighting the proximity of the budget announcement, he stated that the government will prioritise good governance and infrastructure development across the provinces.

Nischal Rai raised a range of issues affecting his constituency, particularly in the areas of infrastructure, tourism and agriculture. He highlighted the need to improve road networks and promote tourism potential in the region, while also drawing attention to challenges in the agricultural sector, including tea cultivation. 

Rai noted that the tea industry is being adversely affected by middlemen and mismanagement, and stressed the importance of reforms to ensure fair returns for farmers. He also pointed to opportunities for expanding dairy production and strengthening other agricultural sectors.

Rai further informed the Prime Minister that last year’s monsoon caused damage estimated at Rs. 11.81 billion, leaving significant infrastructure still in need of reconstruction. He urged the government to prioritise rebuilding efforts and enhance disaster preparedness measures ahead of the upcoming monsoon season. 

In addition, he proposed developing Koshi Province as an educational hub and attracting investment from both domestic and international sources.

According to Rai, the Prime Minister responded positively, assuring that many of these concerns would be incorporated into the upcoming budget. However, he reiterated that establishing effective governance system remains the government’s central priority.

Similarly, Suhang Nembang said the Prime Minister was keen to identify key development priorities that would have a meaningful impact at the provincial level. Nembang highlighted infrastructure gaps in Ilam, noting that while roads have been constructed in many areas, the absence of bridges continues to create serious difficulties for local communities. 

He called for targeted budget allocations for bridge construction, alongside increased investment in education, healthcare and disaster management. He added that the Prime Minister assured lawmakers that all provinces would be treated equally during budget planning, without discrimination.

In a separate meeting with lawmakers from Karnali Province, discussions centred on the region’s overall development, including infrastructure expansion, reforms in the education and health sectors, job creation and the effective utilisation of local resources. 

Basana Thapa said the Prime Minister expressed the government’s commitment to ensuring sustainable and inclusive development in Karnali, which remains one of the country’s least developed regions.

Thapa highlighted key challenges in her constituency, particularly the lack of adequate road connectivity to major tourist destinations such as Rara Lake. She stressed the need for improved infrastructure, as well as better access to healthcare and education services. Thapa also raised concerns about youth migration from Karnali and underscored the importance of creating employment opportunities locally.

Furthermore, she highlighted the potential for utilising natural resources in the region, including natural gas and methane reserves in Dailekh, as well as promoting tourism in Upper Karnali and the surrounding lake areas. Lawmakers also called on the government to resume several stalled development projects in the province.

According to participants, the Prime Minister acknowledged the concerns raised and assured lawmakers that their inputs would be taken into account in policy formulation and budget allocation. He reiterated that the government is committed to balanced regional development and to addressing long-standing structural challenges through coordinated planning and effective implementation.