May 23, Kathmandu – The two-day provincial consultation workshop organized by Nepali Congress in Laukihi, Sunsari, has concluded with the release of the 28-point ‘Koshi Resolution’. Hosted by the party’s Central Policy, Research, and Training Institute, the workshop presented various resolutions addressing national and party political issues.
The resolution document expresses pride in the identity, prestige, culture, civilization, language, arts, literature, agriculture, tourism, natural resources, and cultural excellence of Koshi Province, which spans from the origin of the Kirat civilization to the foot of Kechanakawal and the summit of Mount Everest. It commits to steadfastly preserving and promoting these aspects, reflecting the sentiments of the province’s residents.
Full Text of the Resolution:
‘Koshi Resolution‘
Originating from the Kirat civilization, from the peak of Mt. Everest to the foothills of Kechanakawal, the identity and prestige of Koshi Province, its culture and civilization, language, art, and literature, agriculture and tourism, natural resources and cultural heritage are a source of pride. In alignment with the feelings of its residents, the province is firmly committed to their protection and promotion.
The natural resources, religious and social identity-linked cultural richness form the complete identity of Koshi Province, emphasizing inclusive and proportional representation, equal opportunities, just access to state power, and maintaining the province’s self-respect. The resolution pledges active efforts towards the prosperity of Koshi.
Recognizing that the prosperity of villages and municipalities constitutes the primary foundation of a progressive Nepal as envisioned by Nepali Congress, and acknowledging the constitutional responsibility of local governments to deliver immediate services on issues of direct public concern,
Nepal’s Constitution, Local Government Operation Act, and the commitments and pledges of the Nepali Congress, guided by principles of good governance and accountability, empower Congress-led local governments to implement policies making local activities more citizen-friendly, transparent, well-governed, and result-oriented.
This resolution, formulated during a dialogue, thematic discussions, and extensive interactions among Koshi Province and local government representatives, as well as party leadership from central, provincial, district, and local levels, convened by the Nepali Congress Central Policy Research and Training Institute on May 21-22, 2026, in Laukihi, Sunsari, presents these 28 commitments:
1. Following the naming of the province, the assembly highlights the necessity of addressing reactions and sentiments through inclusive dialogue and multisectoral participation. The provincial workshop pledges to take necessary initiatives in this regard.
2. Citizen-centric accountable governance: Protecting citizens’ freedoms, rights, and entitlements as enshrined in the constitution, effectively operating with policies that are responsive and accountable to the people.
3. Rule of law: Upholding decisions based on law, while urging the federal government to act in accordance with the constitution’s spirit, legal processes, and respect for citizens’ dignity.
4. Adoption of best practices: Local governments led by Congress will mutually adopt successful practices and innovative campaigns.
5. Provincial structural and administrative reforms: Eliminating or adjusting redundant structures, transforming the provincial government’s structure, implementing administrative reforms, and advancing tasks at the local level in cooperation with local governments.
6. Online and doorstep services: Enhancing “home-yard services” to deliver vital services such as birth and death registration, health insurance registration and renewal online or at home. Basic health checks for disabled, chronically ill, senior citizens, pregnant and postpartum women will be provided at home.
7. Financial discipline: All local governments must submit budgets by mid-July, adhering strictly to all stages of plan formulation. Special focus will be placed on creating “zero arrears” local governments and enforcing rigorous spending standards.
8. Plan bank: Planning will be conducted strictly through a plan bank, avoiding opaque or irresponsible decisions or investments beyond designated plans and allocated resources. Investments in unproductive sectors will be firmly avoided. The resolution calls on provincial and federal governments to harmonize plan banks across all three tiers.
9. Special tax benefits for local raw-material-based industries and youth-oriented innovations. Establish integrated agricultural zones for cash crops including cardamom, tea, ginger, avocado, lemon, apple, and mango. Establish collection centers and agricultural ambulances to connect farmers’ produce directly to consumers.
10. ‘Entrepreneur Mother’ Program: Transform women’s traditional skills into enterprises through the implementation of the “Entrepreneur Mother” initiative.
11. Revitalizing the Biratnagar-Itahari industrial corridor by fully operating it as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
12. Development of a “spiritual tourism trail” connecting religious pilgrimage sites such as Barahkshetra, Pathibhara, and Halesi.
13. Promoting water tourism, adventurous mountain climbing in Sagarmatha, Kanchenjunga, and Makalu regions, developing sports infrastructure recognizing the athletic talent of Koshi’s youth, expanding “one-door service” to encourage private sector participation. Promote homestays at trekking destinations.
14. Health insurance branding: Building on initiatives started by Congress, increase enrollment with the principle “health insurance for all—local governments supporting the vulnerable.” Raise awareness and facilitate insurance at the local level.
15. Implement an integrated social security program from pregnancy through end-of-life support: the “From Womb to Mourning” initiative.
16. Strengthen B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan and develop it as a specialized service center for Koshi Province.
17. Increase investment in education. Develop and implement local curricula reflecting arts, language, culture, civilization, and distinct local traits. Promote quality, research-oriented, skill-based education systems rooted in local production.
18. Organize and systematize effective health initiatives such as school nurses, community nurses, urban health promotion centers, “I am healthy, my community is healthy” campaigns, digital health profiles, nutrition, non-communicable disease screening, mental health counseling, and public health fairs.
19. Accelerate the completion of the Koshi Highway (Jogbani–Kima Thangka) to connect the north-south regions. Upgrade Biratnagar Airport to a regional international airport. Link infrastructure such as roads, electricity, and internet with improved living standards. Study feasibility for opening internal waterway services on the Koshi River for transportation.
20. Ensure social justice and inclusive resettlement for landless Dalit and squatters in dignified locations, making “squatter-free local levels.”
21. Protect the language, culture, and traditional occupations of endangered and marginalized communities in Koshi Province, and launch special social transformation programs to eliminate caste-based untouchability, child labor, and gender-based violence for a discrimination-free society.
22. Implement the “Birthplace Prosperity” special campaign to link the skills of returning migrant workers from abroad from labor to entrepreneurship.
24. Establish an early warning system for disaster risk reduction by creating youth rescue teams and fostering resilient communities.
25. Conserve wildlife habitats and environments, and take initiatives to control wildlife such as nilgai, elephants, monkeys, and langurs that damage crops. Urge the federal government to regulate human-wildlife conflicts through legal and structural management. Also, implement the “Green City–Healthy City” special campaign.
26. Promote coordination, cooperation, and coexistence between federal, provincial, and local governments. Request equitable, just, and needs-based budget allocation systems from provincial and federal governments.
27. Form a party-government coordination mechanism promptly, making it effective and establishing a system for regular monthly dialogue.
28. Accelerate the “Root Campaign” to strengthen party organizations by maintaining digital records of active members.
May 23, 2083 B.S.
