NPC intensifies consultations to devise periodic plan for federal Nepal

KATHMANDU, March 12: National Planning Commission (NPC) has intensified consultations to prepare 14th Periodic Plan for federal Nepal.

The apex policy-making body of the government has so far held six consultation meetings with locals and stakeholders of six provinces. The locals and stakeholders from six provinces were invited for consultation at locations in major cities in the provinces itself.

According to officials of NPC, suggestions on inclusive growth were collected from locals and stakeholders. Similarly, their inputs were also collected on infrastructure development to enhance people’s access under federal set up.

The inputs from locals will be incorporated while formulating development policies and the three-year plan that will come into implementation from mid-July, according to NPC officials. Consultations were organized in major centers in six provinces from February 28 to March 4. The final consultation will be held in Dhulikhel of Province No. 3 on March 23.

Tulsi Prasad Gautam, spokesperson of National Planning Commission (NPC), told Republica that the discussions on national and provincial development policies were encouraging. “The only exception was that people in Janakpur preferred to talk about development issues only,” he said, adding, “The discussions and participation were encouraging. But several participants said that they do not want to discuss on provinces as provincial demarcations are yet to be made.”

Consultation in Province No. 1 was held in Dhankuta. Leaders from different parties as well as leaders from eastern Tarai participated in the discussion, added Gautam. Similarly, consultations for Province No. 2 and 4 were held in Janakpur and Pokhara, respectively. Likewise, consultations for Province No. 5, 7 and 7 were held in Dang, Surkhet and Dhangadhi, respectively.

Though participants held discussion on fiscal programs and development projects, NPC officials said that they also collected suggestions for the national policy paper.

“Most of the participants urged the government to focus on job creation by modernizing agriculture sector to retain youth heading to overseas destinations for employment,” added Gautam.

Similarly, farmers in Tarai requested the government to improve irrigation facilities, while people in hilly districts demanded good roads for better connectivity.

According to Gautam, priority will be given to reconstruction with focus on energy and tourism development.

The plan will target 6 to 8 percent economic growth. Similarly, it will set a target of reducing the number of people living below poverty line to 17 percent from existing 23.8 percent and creating 400,000 jobs annually.

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