PM responds to comments on govt policy and programme

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli responded to the lawmakers’ comments and queries on the government policy and programme at the Legislature-Parliament this afternoon.
Prime Minister Oli defended the government’s announcement to hold local elections in December, saying there was a void in the local bodies for over 15 years and the constitution envisaged the civic in its transitional provisions. He further urged all political forces to help hold the elections on announced time.
The House conducted deliberations on the government policy and programme, which was presented by President Bidya Devi Bhandari on May 8.

EU, TI Nepal to work together to foster integrity in reconstruction

EU, TI Nepal to work together to foster integrity in reconstruction

KATHMANDU: The European Union and the Transparency International Nepal on Thursday signed an agreement to launch a support programme to foster integrity in the post-earthquake reconstruction campaign.
Head of the Kathmandu-based EU Delegation, Ambassador Rensje Teerink and TI Nepal President Bharat Bahadur Thapa signed the agreement today.
The Euro 1 million project will run for a period of five years to complement the rebuilding campaign with various accountability and transparency activities, the EU said in a statement today.
“This grant is part of a broader package of 105 million euro that the EU will provide to the government for reconstruction efforts,” the statement added.
“Building Back Better Nepal is an opportunity to foster accountability and social cohesion in the country,” the statement quoted Teerink as saying, “With this action launched today on the first anniversary of the second big quake, we underline the pivotal importance of the civil society in the process.”
Thapa also stressed that that disaster situations often exacerbate corruption; hence a more vigilant approach from civil society is crucial.
According to the EU, the project will be implemented at three key levels of the reconstruction process including policy level, implementation level and post-implementation level.

PM tables reconstruction plan at Parliament

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Thursday tabled the five-year post-earthquake reconstruction plan at the Parliament.
Taking a special time at the Parliament while the House was discussing the government’s policy and programme, Oli said the plan of action would guide the reconstruction campaign in terms of policies, structures, implementation process and financial management.
It would provide a clear road map to the government, non-government organisations and donor agencies, according to the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister informed the House that the plan had estimated that a total of Rs 838 billion would be required for the reconstruction campaig. The amount is slightly more than what the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment carried out by the National Reconstruction Authority had identified earlier.
Oli attributed the increase to the number of affected households affected by the earthquake and needs identified by various ministries for the reconstruction campaign among others.
The plan includes outlines of 20 thematic plans to be carried out for the reconstruction.
The Prime Minister said the plan had tried to develop ownership of government agencies in the reconstruction campaign while earning trust of international donors.