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Kathmandu, Jan 5: Prime Minister and CPN UML Chairperson KP Sharma Oli claimed that there was a gradual improvement in national economy since the formation of the incumbent government.

Presenting the political report in the central committee meeting of the party at Chyasal, Lalitpur on Sunday, Chairperson Oli however admitted that the economic recovery had not yet gained a remarkable momentum.

In his report, Oli cited the notable outcomes of the incumbent government such as ensuring political stability, increased confidence in the private sector, higher revenue collection, rise in capital expenditure and import and capital market as compared to previous fiscal year.

The report mentions formation of a high-level Economic Reform Recommendation Commission for taking measures to improve national economy.

According to the report, the government fulfilled payment obligation and introduced a dozen of laws, regulations, procedures, directives and legislations and enforced them o strengthen national economy. The political report, taking pride in Nepal's improved sovereign credit rating, boasts that Nepal stands as the second most investable country in South Asia after India.

Oli outlined government's efforts and initiatives such as devising legal framework to address the anomalies plaguing the cooperatives sector, taking action against fraudulent cooperatives, repaying depositors' money and forming of an Authority to regulate the cooperatives sector.

Although the report highlighted a notable improvement in energy, trade and infrastructures sectors, as well as efforts to resolve farmers' issues and gradual improvement in public service delivery, PM Oli asserted that those sectors were not still far from challenges.

While the government's actions were positive, the report emphasized the need for additional efforts to deliver on development and meet citizens' expectations.

The PM has stated that the government had embraced austerity measures to implement a disciplined working system and focus on projects of national pride instead of scattering the budget on small projects.

In his report, he argued that a foundation was laid to bring vitality to the country's economy through various initiatives taken by the government. "The external economic factors are relatively stable. Cash deposits for investment have increased in banks, remittance inflows have risen, interest rates have been lowered to single digit, and inflation is under control," Oli said during the central committee meeting.

In his report, Oli suggested four immediate measures to address the anomalies in the cooperative sector. "Taking firm action against fraud, repaying depositors, establishing a high-powered authority to regulate cooperatives, and creating a security fund to protect depositors' funds in the future should be top priorities," Oli stated.

He emphasized that the government is resolute in holding accountable those responsible for embezzling cooperative funds. Oli also mentioned that some political parties or individuals are trying to politicize ongoing investigations and prosecutions by portraying them as targeted attacks, but these allegations have been proven false through the investigation process.

He stressed that individuals who have not committed any wrongdoing should not fear the judicial process. PM Oli announced that Rs 1.55 billion was repaid to 6,000 depositors from three troubled cooperative organizations out of the 22 troubled cooperative organizations.

The Chairman has however admitted in the report that excessive liquidity and political instability were behind slow development works.

He also accused the erstwhile government of creating atmosphere discouraging foreign investment, fueling corruption and embezzlement of government funds. Such malaises created a parallel economy denting formal economy of the country, he added. "The construction entrepreneurs did not get payment on time, while development projects were foisted randomly for political interests.

Several projects were scattered and without resources. Such ill practices ruined development ecosystem, which needs immediate correction," PM Oli underlined. Moreover, he said although present government took positive initiatives for economic reform, these were not adequate. "People are awaiting speedy development and delivery with the formation of government comprising two big parties," he said, drawing attention that the reconstructions in Jajarkot and Rukum Paschim districts were not initiated despite passage of more than one year since the earthquake, while people suffering floods in the ultimate days of last September were also in need of rehabilitation.

According to the PM, some of the challenges at present were- farmers not ensured proper price of their products; problems of sugarcane farmers still unaddressed; development works not gaining pace; and delivery of public service slowed and investment atmosphere elusive. 

Minister for Home Affairs Ramesh Lekhak has said that reconstruction of physical infrastructures damaged by earthquake, and floods and landslides is progressing at a rapid pace.

Addressing the 28th meeting of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) today, Home Minister Lekhak said that the assessment of the damage caused by the disaster and reconstruction works would be speeded up.

"Today's meeting decided to start the disaster damage assessment (DDA) work on the damage caused by the earthquake, and floods and landslides in Doti, Bajura, Bajhang and Jajarkot and to proceed ahead with the reconstruction works in the areas where the DDA has already been carried out," he said.

Home Minister Lekhak said that decisions have been taken on the legal and economic issues required for the reconstruction in places where the DDA has been conducted.

"The disaster risk reduction and management standards have been passed some time ago. We have approved the work procedure in this regard today. Assessment of disaster damage of the Jajarkot earthquake will begin from the first week of February," he said.

According to him, this decision shall be presented in the meeting of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council scheduled to be held at 7 pm today at the Prime Minister's official residence in Baluwatar. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli will preside over this meeting.

Minister Lekhak said that the reconstruction work will be expedited after today's council meeting takes a decision.

The National Dalit Commission of Bagmati Province has submitted its report for the fiscal year 2080/81 BS to Bagmati Province Chief Deepak Prasad Devkota.

The Commission spokesperson Sundar Purkuti submitted the report to the Province Chief.

According to Article 294 (3) of the Constitution of Nepal, the report of the National Dalit Commission has been submitted. The Commission has submitted the report prepared with seven chapters and six schedules.

It includes the introduction of the Commission, provisions related to the rights and interests of Dalits, the situation of Dalits and their representation in state bodies, the implementation status of the annual program of the Commission, the recommendations and suggestions of the Commission and the status of implementation, opportunities, challenges and future directions of the Commission.

The caste discrimination and untouchability practice in Nepal and the related legal system from the beginning and end of untouchability, the provisions against untouchability and discrimination in international law, the provisions related to Dalit rights in the Constitution and laws of Nepal, the law for the end of caste discrimination and untouchability, the efforts of the state through laws, other laws and regulations among other issues were discussed in the report.

Spokesperson Purkuti said that the report covers the policies and readiness of the government to end all kinds of caste-based discriminations, prejudice, superstition, crime, exclusion, deprivation and violence through the constitution, laws, and laws and enable them to lead a dignified life.

He said that the details and population of the Dalit community in the National Census, 2078 BS,, human development index, annual income, education, health and sanitation are still lagging behind the Dalit community were incorporated in the report. 

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli commended the activism of women people's representatives in enhancing the legitimacy of local government and ensuring effective public service delivery.

Addressing the 'She Leads Icon' programme organized by an organization, Kalpa, to honour women people's representatives on Friday, PM Oli further praised the representatives' leadership in upholding the dignity.

He asserted, "While the literacy rate among women was dismal in the past, we see them in the leadership position in the present. It is a huge achievement of political changes."

Stating that 40 per cent of the people's representatives in the local level are women, the Head of the Government observed, "It is a progressive representation, which needs further increase."

On the occasion, PM Oli honoured 27 women representatives for their excellence in delivery of public services.

Likewise, three women representatives were conferred on the 'Icon Award'.