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Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the government is committed to give an impetus to the country's economic transformation by keeping the morale of investors, including the industrialists and business community, high.

Inaugurating the Hyundai Motor Assembling Plant of Laxmi Motor Corporation in Nawalparasi today, PM Dahal stated that the country would be taken ahead on the journey of prosperity through economic development.

He said the economy would be strengthened by taking the private sector into confidence, asserting that the government is committed to facilitating the investment.

"The country's economy cannot be made robust without the investment of the private sector and the collaboration between the state and the private sector. The productivity cannot be increased and employment opportunities also cannot be created without this," PM Dahal said, adding that the government is always in support of creating a climate conducive to investment, promoting the private sector and security and facilitation in the investment areas.

Expressing the belief that the domestic and foreign investors would be attracted more towards the industry-friendly environment in Nepal with the operation of this new industry, he said import would be substituted and hundreds of skilled and semi-skilled laborers will get jobs along with industrialization.

The Prime Minister viewed that the consumers can buy vehicles at a fair price and a positive contribution would be there in consumption of domestic resource and electricity, a partnership in the local development and on the GDP as well when the motor assembling is done within the country itself.

"Our fiscal and monetary policies should be promotional, rather than restrictive. These policies and laws should contribute to the production and employment promotion," he said. The PM further said the domestic and external indicators of the economy are in the positive due to the consistent efforts of the government.

"The Third Investment Summit has concluded recently. The government has amended important Acts, bringing an ordinance on the eve of the Summit. This will play a key role in addressing the problems seen in the investment sector and also in encouraging and promoting the internal and external investment," he added.

The Prime Minister believed that the enthusiasm seen in the investment summit, the common viewpoint and commitment witnessed in the political parties of Nepal and the attraction of the investors have indicated towards Nepal soon becoming an attractive destination for investment.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal expressed his confidence that with the implementation of Sunkoshi-Marin Diversion Multipurpose Project (SMDMP), there will be a quantitative contribution to the national economy.

Inaugurating a breakthrough of the SMDMP tunnel at Kanadhungri of Sunkoshi Rural Municipality-7 in Sindhuli district today, PM Dahal believed that the irrigation system will be improved and the agricultural produce would increase after the project is completed.

"This project will ensure irrigation facility to fertile land of five districts in Madhesh Province which will ensure qualitative contribution in the national economy besides generating electricity," Dahal said, addressing the event after inaugurating the breakthrough.

"The breakthrough of the tunnel under the project has been achieved, the remaining works of the Project would be completed within stipulated time," the PM hoped.

It may be noted that the breakthrough of the 13.3 kilometers long tunnel stretching from Kusumtar, Kamalamai Municipality-2 to Kanadhungri of Sunkoshi Rural Municipality-7 was completed a year ahead of the target.

Stating that the SMDMP was a transformative national project, PM Dahal opined that timely execution of such projects would significantly contribute in the goal of productivity increment and prosperity.

In his address, the Head of the Government mentioned that the breakthrough of the tunnel had infused new energy and encouragement in all of us and has added enthusiasm in construction of huge infrastructures.

Stating that the agriculture sector is the main backbone of Nepal's economic development and a sector to contribute nearly one third to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the PM argued that it was imperative to increase agricultural production and productivity so as to become self-sufficient in food supply, ensure food security and advance economic status of the people.

Sharing that 60 percent of arable land of Nepal is within Terai Madhesh and Inner Madhesh region, PM Dahal said that the irrigation projects being run in Terai-Madhesh zone were based on river water flow system.

Pressing for utilizing water that originated from glaciers for agricultural production, the PM on the occasion pledged to leverage the same source of water for generating electricity, drinking water supply and other purposes for overall development of the country.

Arguing that the goals of good-governance, social justice and prosperity could be achieved through the successful construction of the mega infrastructures, he instructed the concerned parties for timely completion of mega projects.

He also urged cooperation and support from all quarters for timely completion of transformative national projects.

According to him, the successful implementation of the SMDMP had spoken volume for the technical efficiency achieved by the technicians working in hydro power projects and the irrigation sector by optimizing new technology.

He viewed that by optimizing water resources, we could increase agricultural produce and productivity thereby reducing the imbalance of imports.

The PM also expressed that upon the operation of the SMDMP, the demography around Sunkoshi and Tamakoshi river basin area would witness multifaceted development for them.

He opined that fishery and tourism business would also boom in these areas with the operation of the project. The project is expected to provide irrigation facilities on 122, 000 hectares of land in Bara, Rautahat, Sarlahi, Mahottari and Dhanusha districts.  

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal asserted that the policies, program and budget for the upcoming fiscal year would be introduced in a new manner.

Addressing the party cadres at Mulkot of Sunkoshi rural committee of CPN (Maoist Center) today, PM Dahal, also Chairperson of the CPN (Maoist Center), claimed that the national economy had improved a lot since he held the reign of the government. "Economy has improved a lot since I assumed the leadership of the government."

PM Dahal said that the upcoming policy, program and budget would be formulated by targeting those lagging behind in economic index thereby laying the foundation of socialism.

To make the government's upcoming policy and program more people-oriented, he said that suggestions would be solicited from various parties.

Furthermore, the Head of the Government said that the incumbent government had firmly taken forward the campaign for good-governance, social justice and prosperity, and had set a new record in the campaign of good-governance.

According to him, the incumbent government had worked hard to deliver justice for loan shark victims, to control smuggling of gold and bring to book the culprits of Lalita Niwas land grab scam among others.

He reaffirmed the commitment to continue with the pro-public works despite the fact that a few people did not like the reformative actions spearheaded by the government.

On a different note, the PM mentioned that the incumbent government had promoted Nepal's relations with international communities in a balanced manner and diplomatic relations of Nepal with other countries were further becoming stronger with the exchange of high-level visits in recent days.

Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation and CPN (Maoist Center) Deputy General-Secretary Shakti Bahadur Basnet, Member of Parliament from Sindhuli district, Lekhnath Dahal, party leader and former Minister Haribol Gajurel and Bagmati Province Assembly member Yuwaraj Chaulagain, among others were present in the program.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has directed the authorities to complete remaining works of the Sunsari Marin Diversion Multipurpose Project in the designated time.

After enquiring about the project in the course of monitoring its site in Sunkoshi Rural Municipality today, PM Dahal directed to diagnose possible problems in the project and fix them in a timely manner, PM's personal secretariat informed.

"There may emerge several challenges in the multipurpose project having larger scope of work", PM Dahal said, adding, "Please be prepared with thinking, action plan and early preparation to identify and resolve the problem". 

He also instructed the authorities to work in a way to get returns of investment on time.

PM Dahal directed the project chiefs to prepare a concrete action plan for punishment and rewards to the project employees.

Stressing the need for completing the construction works related to barrage, powerhouse, electromechanical, transmission line, river control and social development works on time with high priority, the Prime Minister said that all the works as specified in the action plan and procurement master plan should be completed within the stipulated time.

Assuring that there would be no budget crunch as marine diversion is a transformative project of national pride, PM Dahal said that the government would fully facilitate the construction of the project.

Relatives of the Nepalis who have joined the Russian army met Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and urged him to take initiatives for the safe return of their family members.

During a meeting with the Prime Minister in Baluwatar today, they demanded that the government take initiatives for the rescue and safe return to the Nepalis serving in the Russian army.

In response, Prime Minister Dahal assured that he would take a high-level diplomatic initiative to bring Nepalis serving in the Russian army back home.

“The Prime Minister’s Office is committed to address your demands,” the Prime Minister said, adding, “The government has been constantly taking initiatives for the same. Initiatives have been taken through diplomatic note."

Saying that the government has been doing the needful to protect the lives of Nepali citizens, Prime Minister Dahal said that he is committed to address the demands of the families of the Nepalis working in the Russian army.

“High-level diplomatic initiatives will be made. It will also take the initiatives,” the Prime Minister said.

Mentioning that he had telephone conversations with the Nepalis who were on the battlefield, Prime Minister Dahal informed that he has been inquiring about their situation with the concerned persons through diplomatic channels.

Earlier, the families of the Nepalis serving in the Russian army had staged a demonstration in the Capital demanding the return of their loved ones from the war-torn country.

The Ashok Rai-led Janata Samajbadi Party, formed after the split of Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal, has decided to continue its support to the Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led government.

A Parliamentary Party meeting of the Janata Samajbadi Party held in Kathmandu on Monday under the headship of Chairman Rai decided to continue his party’s support to the Dahal-led government, JSP Deputy General Secretary and federal lawmaker Pradeep Yadav informed.

The party has decided to continue its support to the Dahal-led incumbent government, reads a statement issued by JSP General Secretary Istiyak Rai on Monday evening.

Earlier on Monday itself, the Rai-led JSP had acquired the party registration certificate from the Election Commission.

Earlier on Sunday, Rai along with seven lawmakers had filed an application at the Election Commission for the registration of a new party.

The new party led by Rai has seven lawmakers including Pradeep Yadav, Renu Yadav, Nawal Kishor Sah Sudi, Birendra Mahato, Ranju Kumari, Hasina Khan and Sushila Shrestha.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has appealed to all the oppressed classes, ethnicities and communities to express their solidarity in implementing identity and the national issues.

At a program to declare the launching of the Bagmati Province Government's Language of Government Works Act, 2080 and the Language Day 2024 today, PM Dahal made this appeal, calling on the oppressed classes, castes and communities to protect their rights by identifying their true representative.

Referring to the establishment of a constitutional system with federalism, republicanism, secularism, inclusion and proportionality, the prime minister stressed that the solidarity of all should be expressed to complete the constitution.

"My party and I had waged a major struggle to establish identity and rights in the new constitution. We had played a decisive role for whatever rights were written in the constitution," Prime Minister Dahal said, "Therefore, I heartily appeal to all the oppressed classes, castes and communities on this historic occasion to recognize their real representatives and show solidarity in the implementation of the national issue of identity and rights."

Prime Minister Dahal expressed the belief that if sincere and continuous efforts are made, the remaining rights to be institutionalized in the constitution will gradually be established.

Stating that the constitution provides that in addition to the Nepali language, the province can decide on one or more other national languages spoken by the majority of the people in the province as the language for government works, the Prime Minister expressed his happiness that the Act passed by the Bagmati Provincial Assembly on the recommendation of the Language Commission to make provision for the provincial government's official language has been implemented.

Stating that he had decided to celebrate Nepal Sambat as a national calendar during his first term as Prime Minister, PM Dahal said it was decided to make Nepal Sambat mandatory in the official documents in his third term and clarified that the implementation of that decision is underway.

The Head of Government stressed on the need to strengthen internal nationalism along with establishing identity and rights, stating that today is a special day of pride for those who want independence, self-respect and prosperity of the country.

Prime Minister Dahal said, "This day has given important inspiration and energy to the aspiration and commitment to build a socialist-oriented advanced nation by ending the existing class, ethnic, regional, gender, and regional oppression in the country. Therefore, today is an important day for the oppressed castes like Newa, Tamang, etc."

Stating that he is constantly struggling for the identity and rights of all classes, castes, regions, genders and communities according to the characteristics and social structure of Nepali society, PM Dahal expressed the confidence this day will guide other provinces also towards addressing the linguistic, cultural rights by making the provincial laws as provided for in the constitution. It will also guide towards making the implementation of the Nepal Sambat further effective, he added.

Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa called on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Sunday.

During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations and mutual interests, the Prime Minister’s Secretariat informed.

The Japanese foreign minister arrived in Kathmandu on a one-day visit this afternoon at the cordial invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha.

Prior to meeting the Prime Minister, she observed the Basantapur area of Kathmandu.

She spent about half-an hour there, seeing around Kalbhairab, Hanumandhoka and the Nepali cultural heritages and artifacts. She also bought a Buddha statue.

This is Kamikawa's first visit to Nepal after her appointment as Japan's Foreign Affairs Minister.

She will pay a courtesy call on President Ram Chandra Paudel today itself, the Foreign Ministry said.  

The Japanese foreign minister is scheduled to meet the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Shrestha today itself. Minister Shrestha will host a dinner in her honor.

Foreign Minister Kamikawa will leave for Japan tonight via Nepal Airlines plane.

Prime Minister and CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli and Rastriya Swatantra Party President and Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane held an intensive discussion on Saturday.

During the meeting that lasted around three hours, the three leaders discussed contemporary political issues and budget sessions, a Baluwatar source said.

President Ram Chandra Paudel on the recommendation of the government has called the meeting of both the houses of federal Parliament on Friday afternoon.

Earlier, the government had prorogued the winter session to prepare the budget.

Actually, the government had prorogued the Parliament session after the main opposition Nepali Congress obstructed the House proceedings demanding formation of a parliamentary probe committee to investigate fraud charges against Home Minister Lamichhane.

The Congress has said that it would not give up its stance of forming a parliamentary probe committee to investigate cooperative fraud charges against Minister Lamichhane.

The three leaders also discussed this issue in the meeting held last night.

As the cooperative fraud case is becoming complex day by day, the situation may also come to form the parliamentary probe committee as demanded by the Nepali Congress, Prime Minister Dahal said.

They have also reached a conclusion that the government should take an initiative to resolve the cooperative issues.

The government is preparing to bring a special plan to iron out the cooperative problems that have been becoming a serious problem across the country.

The leaders of the three political parties have agreed to inform the Parliament by forming a committee to investigate the irregularities in the cooperatives.

Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Lamichhane has also agreed to form a parliamentary probe committee to investigate the cooperative scam, the Baluwatar source said.

Earlier, Home Minister Lamichhane had held a separate meeting with UML Chairman Oli.

Later, Oli and Prime Minister Dahal had discussed the cooperative issues in Baluwatar.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said the government is sensitive to the citizens' health and working accordingly.

In his address to a program organized to mark the 22nd Establishment Day of the National Academy of Health Sciences (NAMS) here today, the Prime Minister said implementation of the citizens' fundamental rights is the special priority of the government.

"It is the responsibility of the State to promote the implementation of the fundamental rights of each citizen achieved through tremendous struggle and sacrifices. The government is serious about this. Social security programs in health services is also the top priority of the government," he said.

Stating that 2,800 beds in government-run health facilities have been allotted to patients from poor, indigent communities and who are helpless, the government head said provisions are in place to provide vaccines against uterine and breast cancers at a free of cost. The effort to dedicate 10 percent of all hospital beds whether they are of government, community, or private cones to indigent and helpless people carries a significant value for the improvement of citizens' rights.

He utilized the forum to call on the NAMS to facilitate in fulfilling the State's responsibility to increase citizens' access to quality healthcare services. He also pledged full support on his behalf to establish the NAMS as an academic institute of international standards in cooperation with national and foreign academic bodies.

Prime Minister Dahal shared that he has taken initiatives to make the service delivery of Bir Hospital effectives since he assumed the post.

He further said that he has given priority to bringing all the beds and operation rooms into operation, operating the services in two shifts.  In the program, Dr. LochanKarki, Rector of NAMS, requested that NAMS should not be separated from Bir Hospital immediately until its own hospital is built. “There is a debate going on about the separation of NAMS and Bir Hospital.

If these two bodies are separated immediately, it seems that there will be problems in many matters", Rector Dr. Karki said, "All the educational programs currently running at NAMS will be closed and it may also affect the services of the hospital itself. There should be a comprehensive discussion on this.” He informed that the scope of NAMS has been further expanded. Similarly, Dr. Santosh Paudel, director of Bir Hospital, drew the attention of the Prime Minister to develop Bir Hospital as a specialized hospital for quality health services in the country.

“The area of service provided by NAMS is wide but there are challenges in Bir Hospital within NAMS. The bed has not been able to operate at full capacity. Due to the lack of budget, we have not been able to manage the service delivery further smoothly and effective", said Paudel.

According to the responsibilities of the three levels of government, if we can concentrate the responsibility of specific services, we can provide more quality services. The hospital should be developed as a referral center.”

On the occasion of its 22nd foundation day, NAMS has honored the first Vice-Chancellor Dineshnath Gangol and Dr Upendra Devkota (posthumously), Dr Raviraman Neupane, Dr Niroj Banepali and Dr Mukesh Prasad Yadav.

Dr Raviraman Neupane, Dr Niroj Banepali and Dr Mukesh Prasad Yadav, who have passed out from NAMS at different times, have also been awarded.

The 27th general convention of the Federation of the Nepali Journalists (FNJ) kicked off today.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal inaugurated the general convention.

National council members of different chapters of FNJ across the country are attending the general convention.

Earlier, a morning procession was organized at the initiative of FNJ today itself on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day and FNJ general convention. 

The morning rally set out from Ratnapark Shantibatika and concluded after reaching the National City Hall, the venue of the 27th general convention.  

FNJ President Bipul Pokharel, office-bearers, former presidents, and journalists associated with different media had participated in the morning rally. Office-bearers and members of Nepal Press Union, Press Chautari Nepal, Press Centre Nepal, Socialist Press Organization, had also participated in the morning rally.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the Vice Chancellor of the universities have been appointed based on merit.

Prime Minister Dahal said during a meeting with the recently appointed Vice Chancellors of the Purbanchal, the Mid-West and the Far Western Universities at Singh Darbar today that he has made the process of appointing vice chancellors transparent and competitive.

The newly appointed Chancellor of the Purbanchal University, Prof Dr Biju Kumar Thapaliya, the newly appointed Chancellor of the Mid-West University, Prof Dr Dhruva Kumar Gautam and the newly appointed Chancellor of the Far Western University, Prof Dr Hemraj Pant met the Prime Minister and Chancellor Dahal today after receiving their appointment letter.

On that occasion, Prime Minister Dahal directed the Vice Chancellors to operate the universities in a competitive and transparent manner.

"Sharing of posts among the parties has been ended and the competition has been started in the appointment of the vice-chancellor of the university," Prime Minister Dahal said, adding, "The appointment of the vice-chancellors here has also been done accordingly, please fulfill your responsibilities in a fair manner."

Prime Minister Dahal directed the vice chancellors to focus on producing manpower to compete in the global market by providing quality education from universities.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has pledged to provision the setup of an innovation fund in the upcoming fiscal year's policy, program and budget for the expansion of the information technology sector.

In his address to a program organized on the occasion of the 7th National ICT Day here today, PM Dahal informed that groundwork was being done for the formulation of necessary laws for the establishment of the innovation fund.

"The government believes that economic and social transformation can be achieved only through the development, expansion and use of communications and information technology," he said, adding, the young scientists will be encouraged to earn income through information technology at their own capacity and access.

He made it clear that the government was seriously working to integrate and effectively implement the 'Startup Program focusing on the youth.

Prosperity could be achieved through development, good governance and employment only by accepting information technology as the 'leading factor', the Prime Minister said while appealing to all concerned for rapid development in the field of communications and information technology for economic and social transformation of the common people through it.

"The government is committed to make necessary policy and legal arrangements to ensure the development, expansion and safe use of information technology," he noted.

PM Dahal said the incidents related to cybercrime, which were on the rise lately, would be controlled through legal and policy measures.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said Nepal is a suitable destination for investment, calling upon the investors from across the globe to seize the opportunity and be benefitted from this.

The Prime Minister said this while inaugurating the Nepal Investment Summit 2024 here today.

On the occasion, the PM asserted that there are immense opportunities for investment in Nepal and it is a potential country for investment from legal, geographical and strategic perspective as well.

Stating that Nepal is fully committed to a liberal economic policy, he reassured that an investment-friendly environment has been created in the country.

The Prime Minister said Nepal is continuously moving ahead towards creating a friendly environment for the investors, industrialists, entrepreneurs and innovators. In this connection, he added, eight various laws related to business and investment have been reformed.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has pointed out the need of making timely reforms in the educational curriculum to stop the brain drain.

Prime Minister Dahal expressed such a view while addressing the 12th Convocation Ceremony of the Purbanchal University today.

"It is necessary to make drastic changes in curriculum to stop intellectual brain drain by boosting the sentiment among youth-students of doing something for the nation staying here", he explained.   

The PM stressed, "Curriculum should be prepared keeping technology-based innovation and research on top priority. There is a need for professional education linking with prosperity."  

Stating that the country could not achieve prosperity without participation of youths, he laid emphasis on youth-targeted entrepreneurship and innovation as well as increasing production and creating employment through human resources development.

The country is looking at youths' passion, skill, knowledge and capacity and seeking their contribution, the Prime Minister said, "The country can benefit from 40 per cent youths of the total population of the country and we should utilize this historic opportunity."

He further said it was necessary to change the existing educational system and situation of educational unemployment created by the existing educational system, and directed the schools and universities to impart technical and skill oriented education as educational institutions have been imparting knowledge in a traditional way.

Prime Minister Dahal added that the government has shown special attention to increase people's access to quality health service and education.

"The Purbanchal University should bring a medical college into operation by constructing necessary structures at its premises and quality health services should be provided to the people of this area", he mentioned.

The PM explained, "The Purbanchal University got the permission to run the medical college at my initiatives. I will take the initiative to provide affordable and quality health services to the people of this area in the coming days."

Vice-President (South, Central and West Asia) of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Yingming Yang, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

During the meeting held at the official residence of the Prime Minister at Baluwatar today, they discussed the issues of economic development of Nepal and upcoming investment summit, according to the Prime Minister Dahal's Secretariat.

On the occasion, PM Dahal said Nepal is the appropriate destination for investment, adding there is ADB's significant investment in Nepal's physical infrastructure development.

He shared that Nepal would present effective and investment-worthy projects in the investment summit taking place in Nepal.

"The government has built an appropriate environment for investment by making legal and policy-level revision. It is the best opportunity for investment in Nepal", underscored PM Dahal.

Stating that ADB was ready to invest in Nepal's strategic projects, Vice-President Yang explained that the ADB would prepare a strategy to further invest in Nepal in the coming days.  

Dr Rupak Sapkota, Foreign Affairs advisor to PM Dahal, high-ranking officials of ADB in Nepal were present on the occasion.