16th plan stresses on integrated infrastructure development, IT use: PM Dahal

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the 16th periodic plan will focus on integrated infrastructure development and extension and utilization of information technology.

Addressing an inaugural session of the National Development Council's meeting in Kathmandu today, the Prime Minister said the 16th plan will accord priorities to the agricultural commercialization, promotion of product-based industries, employment-based education and quality healthcare services.

High priority should be given to promotion of tourism, creation of domestic job opportunities and development of integrated settlement, according to the Prime Minister. To address this need, the plan is required to focus on innovation and entrepreneurship development through youth-targeted domestic and foreign investment, according to the government head.

Stating that the government acknowledges the private sector as instrumental for economic prosperity, the Prime Minister said the plan has endorsed the facilitating roles of government, community, non-government and development partners in efforts aiming to find economic prosperity.  He said he is hopeful that the plan will rightly determine its visions, goals and investment estimations. 

Insisting on collaborative efforts among the three-tier government to implement the plan successfully, the Prime Minister said it is necessary for the governments at all levels to mobilize revenue concisely to manage investment and public expenditures.

" The plan expects to secure a significant investment from the private sector, according to the Prime Minister who is hopeful of that goals, objectives and strategies of the Plan will contribute to seeking an effective role of the private sector in economic expansion through the promotion of investment, production, productivity and employment," he said

He pressed the need for a regular and result-oriented monitoring and assessment system during the implementation of the Plan. 

He also expressed his hope the National Planning Commission will develop an integrated framework for economic reforms and implement it in coordination of all bodies concerned. " I hope the goal for average economic growth and other social and environmental goals of the Plan will be achieved by an effective implementation of the Plan through a collaborative approach among all including three-tier government, private sector, cooperatives and development partners. "

Similarly, Chairperson of the CPN (Unified Socialist) and former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal laid emphasis on the need of keeping agriculture in priority in the 16th plan, saying forest and mining based industries should be established and policy-level mistakes should be removed.

"The government should move ahead making the private sector into confidence and it should take a policy of encouraging the private sector", he added. Sharing that development of the hydropower and tourism sector would make a significant contribution to the country, Chair Nepal stressed that the government should pay its full attention in these sectors.

Likewise, Vice President of the Rastriya Swatantra Party and Minister for Labor, Employment and Social Security, Dol Prasad Aryal, pointed out the need that all political parties, bureaucracy, and general people should move ahead joining hands to maintain good governance.

"The country has to depend on imports due to legal complexities despite having necessary means and resources for its development and prosperity", he said, adding existing laws should be revised in order to utilize available means and resources. 

Chairperson of the Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health and Population, Upendra Yadav, underlined that the 16th plan should be forwarded making the federalism strong.

"The country cannot be prosperous until provinces are made resourceful. The planned development concept should be forwarded for the country's development", he stressed.

Chairperson of Nagarik Unmukti Party and former Minister Ranjita Shrestha said the national economy should be made strong by maintaining good governance and establishing social justice in health, education, employment and other sectors. 

Shrestha opined, "The working capacity should be maximum utilized making the inter-relation of all three-levels strong to achieve the goal and objectives of the 16th plan. It is necessary that all political parties should be responsible and united with a common goal for the country's prosperity."

Laying emphasis on the need of moving ahead selecting prioritized projects in the country's economic development, former Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat stressed the need of paying special attention in project selection and budget allocation.

Similarly, former Finance Minister Dr Yubraj Khatiwada said a policy of getting more results from low investment should be adopted, adding that the country's economy is improving in recent periods.

Vice-Chairperson of the National Planning Commission Dr Min Bahadur Shrestha shared that the NPC should be restructured and make it further strong legally, expressing the view that it would be easier to implement the strategy and action plan of the 16th plan only if the NPC becomes strong.

Parliamentary party leaders of the political parties represented in the Federal parliament, Deputy Prime Ministers, ministers, the Chief Ministers, Chairpersons of Federal Parliamentary Committees and national security advisors were present on the occasion.