Gandaki Province Government Approves Purchase of 40 Million NPR Vehicle and Establishment of 50 Million NPR Emergency Health Fund

The Gandaki Province government has decided to purchase a car worth 40 million Nepalese Rupees for the Parliamentary Secretariat. This decision was approved during the cabinet meeting held on April 24. On September 9, during the Janajati agitation, four vehicles including those used by the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and the Parliamentary Secretariat were burned. To replace the burned vehicles, cars returned by Panchram Tamang, leader of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) parliamentary group, and Chief Secretary Bindu Paudel are currently in use. According to Finance Minister Jeet Bahadur Sherchan, a principled agreement of 40 million NPR has been reached for purchasing the vehicle, with ongoing discussions to ensure that the new car will be electric.

The cabinet also decided to auction off 114 vehicles that were burned during the Janajati agitation. Additionally, the Gandaki Province government has approved the establishment of a 50 million NPR Emergency Health Service Fund. Minister Sherchan explained that the fund will be created to manage infectious and communicable diseases. It will cover the management of 53 rapid-spreading diseases including new infectious diseases such as COVID-19. Recently, there was an increase in Dadura disease infection in Baglung district, and the lack of funds caused difficulties in controlling the outbreak.

Furthermore, the Gandaki Province government has approved the concept of a contributory pension bill. This bill aims to ensure pension benefits for provincial and local government employees by establishing a contributory welfare fund. Minister Sherchan stated that the cabinet has already passed this concept.