Chief of the Karnali Province Govinda Prasad Kalauni on Saturday unveiled the provincial government’s policy and programmes for the fiscal year 2021/22 at a meeting of the Provincial Assembly.
The policy and programmes mainly focus on prevention of and response to COVID-19 this year and has given continuity to the past programmes.
The provincial government has stated that saving lives of the people is the top priority of the government.
The policy and programmes acknowledge the need to expand the Surkhet-based provincial hospital to at least up to 500 beds and each district will have a 50-bed hospital with one ventilator and five ICUs.
The programme also aims to speed up COVID testing at the border point to the province, increase manpower in health and give continuity to free treatment, provide risk allowance for frontline workers and upgrade hospitals with oxygen plants in all districts.
Similarly, the provincial government has given continuity to last year’s programmes like cable car, tunnel construction, Chief Minister Employment Programme, daughter-in-law scholarship programme, opening bank account in daughter’s name, formation of Provincial Mass Media Academy, and scholarship programmes for journalists in higher education.
This year, the government has forwarded some new programmes, like providing Rs. 2,000 monthly allowances to the martyr’s families and Rs. 2,000 monthly subsistence allowance to the families affected by the people’s movement and people’s war, 12 days tourism leave for employees to promote tourism and loans on the basis of educational certificates.
Similarly, a programme has been brought to form Karnali Art and Literature Foundation and to honour those who have contributed to art and literature.
The Provincial government has also forwarded its plan to include Kankrevihar, Rara and Phoksundo in the concept of Golden Triangle and Birendranagar, Hilsa and Mansarovar in the Golden Chain Road to develop tourism infrastructure.
The government has also aimed to establish museums in Jumla and Dailekh.
Similarly, Pili of Kalikot, Khara of Rukum and Juni of Jajarkot will be developed as war tourism zones and programmes will be developed accordingly.
The policy also includes a programme to involve youth in employment and income generation.
Similarly, the provincial government in its policy and programme has stated that it will construct a 20 MW capacity hydropower project and its construction will start in the coming year.
Likewise, the provincial government reiterated its plan to invest in hydropower projects including Phukot and Bheri Babai hydropower projects, establish Karnali Herbal Processing Company, prepare and implement Road and Transport Master Plan, mobilise resources for Surkhet Hilsa Road in coordination with the Government of Nepal, upgrade and expand Surkhet Airport, give priority to roads to connect the district headquarters and the state capital.
Source : THE RISING NEPAL,
