Kathmandu, Feb. 29: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said that the government has highly prioritised implementation of federalism. Responding to questions raised by lawmakers at the meeting of the National Concern and Coordination Committee of the National Assembly (NA) on Wednesday, the Prime Minister said that although meetings of the committee formed following Federal, Province and Local Level (Coordination and Inter-relation) Act could not be held for the past four years, this year they held two meetings of the committee and took various decisions regarding the implementation of federalism, and some of them were being implemented. 

He said that the meetings of the inter-governmental fiscal council and other thematic committees were conducted regularly. Similarly, regular and intensive discussions and consultations were held while drafting the laws relating to the common rights. 

Stating that drafting of the laws related to the list of common rights has been highly prioritised, he said that the National Education Bill was under discussion at the Federal Parliament. Additionally, preparations were being made to present the bill regarding the Federal Civil Service in the current session of the parliament.

Prime Minister Prachanda informed that ‘Criteria and Bases of Project Classification-2080 B.S.’ had been approved and implemented. He said that a budget formulation system had been adopted to allocate resources only to the projects included in the project bank as per the Fiscal Procedures and Financial Accountability Act-2076 B.S. A project bank has been established for this at the National Planning Commission, he added.

He said that resources had been transferred to the provinces and local levels by determining limits and basis of revenue allocation, financial equalization grants and conditional grants from the National Natural Resources and Fiscal Commission.

Prime Minister Prachanda said that the government had highly prioritised the implementation of the National Pride Projects. He said, “I have been monitoring it from the action room at the office of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers. During this period, the Bheri Babai Multipurpose Project, Sunkoshi Marin Diversion Project, Sikta Irrigation Project, Narayangadh-Butwal Road, North-South Corridors and other projects have been monitored and the work has been expedited. I have instructed the ministers and secretaries to complete them within the stipulated time.”

According to the Prime Minister, out of a total of 24 National Pride Projects, three had been completed, four have made 80 per cent progress, six have achieved 50 to 80 per cent progress and six have made 50 per cent progress. Meanwhile, only five projects have made below 10 per cent progress. 

The Prime Minister said that he had instructed the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport to prioritise budget allocation in the coming fiscal year for the construction of the remaining bridges along the Postal Highway. Additionally, the Nepal Government is coordinating with the Indian Government to conduct training on human resource management for the operation of Jaynagar-Janakpur-Kurtha-Bhagaha Railway, he added. 

He informed that some of the designs of the Kathmandu-Tarai/Madhes Expressway had been reviewed. As a result, the length of the tunnel had been increased but the total length of the road had been decreased. Additionally, further discussion was underway with the locals regarding the acquisition of land at Khokana, entry point of the expressway.

He said that the construction work of the Sunkoshi Marin Multipurpose Project was moving at full swing. Technical study on alignment of the tunnel and its review are underway, he added.

According to the Prime Minister, 170 million litres of water is brought to Kathmandu daily through alternative arrangements. The access road to the headworks has been reconstructed for winter operation. Similarly, the construction work has been extended to operate it throughout the year. He said that a study was being conducted by the Asian Development Bank and the University of Engineering Studies regarding the construction of the headworks structure.

He said that necessary amendments to the Public Procurement Act were being made and the final amendment was approved by the meeting of the Council of Ministers on February 27, 2024.

He informed that the amendment bills on the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority Act-1991 and the Prevention of Corruption Act-2002 were approved by the National Assembly and were being discussed in the House of Representatives. He said that the working area of the CIAA would be expanded on passing the bills.

The Prime Minister said that the government would always prioritise development, use of technology and resource allocation at the concerned departments to strengthen national security. Additionally, foreign relations would be maintained with consideration of national interests. He said that national interest had been the top priority while signing international treaties and agreements.