By NNN-Nepal News
Kathmandu : The government Wednesday unveiled its annual ‘policies and programmes’ laying emphasis on the upcoming constituent assembly polls, improvement in the security situation and reconstruction of infrastructure destroyed during the armed conflict.
Addressing the parliament session, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala urged all sides to work together in holding the CA election in a peaceful manner. He further said the political change in the country would not be consolidated unless there is economic and social reform.
In his brief speech, the ailing Prime Minister also expressed confidence that the CA election would lead the nation to peace and democracy.
Senior minister Ram Chandra Poudel, who holds the Peace and Reconstruction portfolio, presented the government’s policies and programmes on behalf of the Prime Minister.
The policy document states that efforts will be made in "significantly improving the security situation" and create proper climate for free and fair election. Vowing to check the ongoing crime and violence, it also seeks negotiated settlement of all the problems, pledging talks with all the agitating groups.
The government has said the United Nations and other independent national and international agencies will be invited for the monitoring of the November 22 polls.
Likewise, a commission will be formed to work out the structure of the federal system.
The government has also announced to implement the three-year interim plan focusing on peace building, reconstruction of the infrastructure and economic programmes. The concept of ‘special economic zone’ will come into force in the upcoming fiscal year and there are plans to distribute land to the landless people, increase the access of rural people to development facilities and economic activities.
The government also plans to run the local bodies with political consensus.
The policy document, which is largely based on the past agreements between the Maoists and the seven parties, also aims to facilitate in ‘democratisation’ of the Nepal Army and make it national in character. Rehabilitation and integration of the People’s Liberation Army are also in the government’s priority list.
As announced earlier by the ruling 8-party alliance, the government will start process to nationalise the state properties used by King Gyanendra and set up a trust to manage the properties of late King Birendra and his family.
To achieve the targeted economic growth, the interim government will carry on with the policy to prioritise the agricultural sector, involvement of the private sector and promotion tourism and foreign employment.
Aiming to appease the bureaucracy, the government has also announced to raise the salary of government employees with the start of new fiscal year.
The government has also said its foreign relations will be guided by the nonalignment policy while giving high importance to the ties with the two immediate neighbours, India and China.