MPs of Karnali call for priority to development

A total of 14 MPs elected as members of the House of Representatives from Karnali province have submitted a joint memorandum to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' to give priority to the development of Karnali.

In the memo, they have demanded the Prime Minister Dahal to give priority to the development of Karnali in the upcoming budget. Emphasis has been placed on increasing agricultural production and employment in the region.

As a long-term initiative, a budget of five billion rupees has been requested to expand and organize agricultural production, herbs, small scale industries, establishment of Karnali Microfinance Bank, subsidized loans, increase in per capita income and self-employment.

It may be noted that absolute poverty is 28.9 per cent while the annual per capita income is only 944 US dollars in Karnali.

Necessary budget has been sought for the upgrading of Kanarli Corridor into two lanes, Kanarli Highway Rara-Gamgadhi-Namche-Lagna road, black topping of Bheri Corridor up to Dolpa Dho, upgrading of Rapti highway's Amilia-Salyan road section, upgrading of Rapti highway from Khaula Chrebagar up to Bheri Corridor, and black topping of Simikot-Limi road.

The MPs have demanded a budget of Rs 5 billion to include the coastal areas of Karnali, Thulibheri and Sanibheri rivers in the national river control project program. Likewise, they have requested the Prime Minister to review the Bheri Corridor Diversion Irrigation Development Project DPR and emphasize the construction of the project to provide irrigation, roads, electrification and drinking water to the people of the affected areas.

Those submitting the 13-point memo included MPs Janardhan Sharma (Prabhakar), Hridayram Thani, Dikpal Kumar Shahi, Mahendra Bahadur Shahi, Amar Bahadur Thapa, Kantika Sejuwal, Maina Karki, Dhan Bahadur Budha, Ain Bahadur Shahi, Sita Kumari Rana, Surya Kumari Shrestha, Tshiring Damdul Lama Bhote, Chiring Lhamu Lama Tamang, Kalpana Miyan and Chandra Bahadur Bishwakarma.