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Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that the electricity tariff for irrigation has been fixed at only Rs 3 per unit. 

Taking to his social media today, the Prime Minister has also said that 500 deep borings are being dug in the drought-stricken Madhes Province.

“The work of digging 500 deep borings has started in the Tarai. Farmers will be charged only Rs 3 per unit of electricity for irrigation,” Prime Minister Oli has noted.

Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba has said that Nepal has been strongly raising the issue of climate justice in international forums.

At a program organized by Nepal Tarun Dal, Kaski, at Pokhara on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Rana expressed the view that Nepal should get compensation through a Fund for responding to Loss and Damage. 

Stating that Nepal had raised a voice related to this issue in the International Court of Justice, the Foreign Minister said that Nepal has been facing negative impacts of carbon emission by developed countries. 

"We strongly raised the issue that Nepal should get compensated for loss and damage and our damaged physical structures like bridges and school buildings should be built", she mentioned, adding "Nepal should lower carbon emission to net-zero. A tree plantation campaign should be launched to expand the forest area which now stands at 45 percent."  

Stating that climate change has invited a major challenge, Minister Rana stressed the role of the new generation is important to lessen its risks.

"It is necessary to plant trees, to reduce the use of plastic, to increase the use of electric vehicles and renewable energy to protect the coming generation from climate change impacts", she argued.

The Foreign Minister further said Nepal's independence and sovereignty have been established in the world due to its stable foreign policy, sharing, "Nepal has its own foreign policy. It has its own identity in the world community and we have been maintaining it since long. It is a matter of pride for all."

Similarly, National Assembly member and outgoing central President of Nepal Tarun Dal, Jit Jung Basnet, urged the Tarun Dal to hold its convention of all-levels on time. 

He emphasized on the implementation of a seven-point deal signed between Nepali Congress and CPN-UML during formation of the government. 

Likewise, Tarun Dal President Bidhwan Gurung urged the members of the organisation to be involved in rescue and relief in the event of a disaster. 

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said Nepal's preparations for its graduation from the category of the least developed country (LDC) to a middle-income country indicate its headway towards self-sufficiency. Nepal's LDC graduation promotes the country's images globally, according to the PM. 

In his replies to the concerns raised during the discussions on the study report in regard to Nepal's LDC gradation, 2081 BS in the Upper House today, the Prime Minister said Nepal's graduation will contribute to strengthening Nepal's country rating index, creating an atmosphere for attracting foreign investment. 

It may be noted that Nepal was listed as the LDC by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly on November 18, 1971. 

At present, Nepal chairs the LDC group comprising 45 countries. It has been preparing for its graduation from the LDC category to a middle-income country after 55 years. 

Nepal is scheduled to graduate in November, 2026. 

PM Oli said, following the graduation, Nepal is expected to get more opportunities for strengthening its economic diplomacy through visit diplomacy, the Sagarmatha Sambaad and investment conferences.   

"Indicators of economic improvements have been now noticed. The current 16th Periodic Plan was prepared with the projection of the post-graduation situation," the Prime Minister said. 

PM Oli informed, "Upgrading Nepal as a developing country may result in reduction of some facilities in various sectors it has been receiving as the LDC."

Oli, however, cautioned that the impact of climate change and natural disasters could hinder Nepal's progress and graduation from the LDC status.

In consideration of such prospects, he said that Nepal had been making diplomatic efforts internationally through relevant bodies. He called for collaborative efforts for the development and emphasized the need to increase production and productivity. 

"Let's make collaboration for developmental endeavors," urged the septuagenarian leader.

It may be noted that Nepal had been working towards upgradation since 2010 through various plans, budget and annual plans and programmes. 

The UN reports in 2015, 2018 and 2021 showed Nepal's progress in Human Assets Index and Economic and Environment Risk Index.

Nepal is getting a chance to upgrade itself to the developing country by 2026 mainly due to recently achieved notable growth in per capita income. 

For a smooth passage to developing country status, the government has been implementing six key strategies through a high-level steering committee led by the PM to ensure Nepal's graduation to the developing country. 

PM Oli, during his address, mentioned that Nepal had taken forward necessary processes to repeal, revise and formulate some laws for sustainable upgradation. 

PM Oli shared that efforts are being made to make Nepal a land-linked country from the landlocked one through enhanced infrastructures and connectivity network.  

Sharing that efforts are made to develop value chains through the multinational companies, the PM informed the NA that the government has prepared necessary strategies against the potential impacts on the private and business sectors after the LDC graduation. The strategies include the reforms measures to be taken in labour and employment, he said. 

The PM claimed that Nepal meets all criteria for the LDC graduation adding that our economy was on the positive growth even the global economy witnessed a negative growth. 

Oli shared that attempts have been made to further strengthen Nepal's foreign relations through effective diplomacy and effectiveness was ensured in the implementation of the international treaties and agreements.

Likewise, the PM said the government was focused on amending the Procurement Act and different policies and laws related to the construction field. 

Similarly, the PM urged the lawmakers not to generate narratives on rampant corruption based on the government actions against the corrupt figures.  

The PM also informed the NA about his visit to Turkmenistan on August 3 to take part in the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is addressing the National Assembly today on Nepal's graduation from the least developed country (LDC) to the status of developing country.

PM Oli is addressing the upper House of the Federal Parliament in response to the queries to be raised by lawmakers on the report being submitted by Chairperson of the Development, Economic Affairs and Good Governance Committee, Kamala Panta, on Nepal's graduation to the status of developing country from LDC, 2081, PM's personal secretariat said.