Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Pampha Bhusal has said that the goal of socialism specified in the constitution can be achieved only by lifting those living below the poverty line.
“We move towards socialism only when more than 18 per cent of the people living below the poverty line are liberated,” she said while addressing the 8th annual general meeting and second convention of Nepal Pole Association on Sunday.
Stating that the constitution has taken the policy of achieving economic prosperity through the combined efforts of the government, private and cooperative sectors, Minister Bhusal said, “The policy of distributing the socio-economic development of the country on the basis of justice will lead us to socialism.”
She made it clear that the state would not reduce the role of the private sector anywhere as the role of private sector is vital for prosperity. Minister Bhusal said, “Be proud of your profession and business, the state respects your positive role.”
Minister Bhusal informed that the state had provided free electricity to the people who consumed up to 20 units out of responsibility towards the people.
She said, “Now it is available free of cost to the poor people. About 2.8 million households will benefit from government decision.”
Minister Bhusal informed that an arrangement has been made to bear the discount given to the people under the heading of social responsibility of Nepal Electricity Authority.
She said that free electricity has been given to the farmers using shallow tube wells and up to 80 per cent discount has been given to those using deep tube wells.
On the occasion, Senior Vice-president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Chandra Prasad Dhakal said that the state should treat the public and private sectors equally.
Similarly, former presidents of the FNCCI Chandi Raj Dhakal and Kush Kumar Joshi urged to implement the policy of the state giving priority to domestic products in practice.
President of the Nepal Pole Association Kishore Kumar Pradhan complained that the industries run by the private sector have come to a standstill due to non-purchase of poles by Nepal Electricity Authority.
Source : TRN,
