News Summary
Editorial review.
- The Koshi Province government has initiated discussions in Biratnagar on the annual policy and program proposed for the upcoming fiscal year 2083/84.
- During the debates, opposition lawmakers criticized the policy and program as lacking vision and being a collection of outdated plans.
- Ruling party lawmakers asserted that the presented policy and program will foster economic prosperity and establish a new foundation for development in the province.
10 Jestha, Biratnagar – The Koshi Province government has commenced discussions on its annual policy and program for the fiscal year 2083/84. The debate, which began Sunday, has lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties split in their support and criticism.
Ruling party lawmakers defended the policy and program as progressive and foundational to prosperity. However, opposition lawmakers expressed skepticism about its implementation, claiming it continues the tradition of empty promises from the past.
Opposition CPN lawmaker Gombu Sherpa accused the policy and program of being status quo-oriented. “Ideologically, the government’s policy appears conservative,” he said. “Practically, it consists merely of empty slogans and assurances.”
He also remarked that even the ministers and chief minister seemed unfamiliar with the contents of the policy and program, alleging it was simply copied from previous versions. “Is it enough to just write a policy on paper without government accountability?” he questioned.
Another CPN lawmaker, Ganesh Prasad Upreti, stated the government’s policy lacks novelty, describing it as a collection of old plans. He critiqued the promotion of the Tourism Year as meaningless without the development of tourism infrastructure.
“Plans that have failed in the past are rebranded with a fresh coat of paint,” he said. “The policy fails to understand public sentiments and the votes from by-elections regarding national naming and identity issues.”
Upreti added that declaring a Tourism Year without upgrading roads and hotels amounts to mere publicity.
Opposition lawmaker Baburam Gautam complained the policy lacked vision. He opposed the proposed budget allocation for converting former presidents’ and prime ministers’ homes into museums.
“Thousands of provincial citizens lack secure housing and have become homeless, while government leaders are busy embellishing their homes. What kind of socialism is this?” he questioned. Gautam argued the policy, which was prepared in a limited scope, fails to meet public expectations.
Opposition CPN lawmaker Sapana Darji said that while the policy and program sounded attractive in words, it failed to address the problems faced by Dalits, women, and landless homeless populations in practice.
Opposition lawmaker Rajendra Karki noted that plans which were included in past policies but didn’t progress have been carried over without change. “What progress has been made on Tamor-Leuti Tunnel, Kechana-Sagarmatha Expressway, and Chatara-Chaurikhark Railway projects?” he asked. “Old plans shouldn’t just remain on paper; they require genuine implementation.”
Meanwhile, ruling party lawmakers claimed that the policy and program strive to encompass all sectors and communities.
CPN-UML lawmaker Radhakrishna Khanal expressed confidence that the policy will realize the vision of a clean, happy, and prosperous province. “Concepts like talent hunts for youth and programs such as ‘I will move forward’ will inspire new enthusiasm among young people,” he stated.
CPN-UML lawmaker Home Bahadur Thapa pointed to Koshi Province’s status as a hub for tea and coffee, saying that hosting an international tea conference would open doors to economic prosperity. “The policy is progressive,” he added. “But since the federal government has yet to grant necessary powers, it’s important to exert pressure through a chief ministers’ conference.”
Ruling party lawmaker Jayprakash Chaudhary highlighted plans to improve government efficiency through monitoring schemes via the Chief Minister’s dashboard and restructuring ministries.
Lawmaker Premraj Thamsuhang said the policy is positive. “If even 15 percent is implemented, it will be a significant achievement for the province,” he emphasized.
Another ruling party lawmaker, Kishorchandra Dulal, claimed the provincial policy and program cover a wide range of issues. He described the government’s initiatives as practical and said the policy addresses most critical matters.
“This policy and program relate directly to the daily lives of Koshi residents,” he said. “It is not just the government’s dream, but a roadmap to transform the lives of the province’s people.”
Discussions on the policy and program will continue tomorrow as well.
