Implementation of constitution major goal: PM Dahal

Kathmandu / Sept 8: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the first priority and goal of the present government was to implement the constitution.

Giving a statement on matter of public importance at the meeting of the Legislature-Parliament today, the Prime Minister said he was determined to hold talks, dialogue and a consensus with all sides concerned in resolving the matter concerning the amendment of the constitution, including the issue of demarcation of federal and local units.

He also expressed the commitment before the house to complete the remaining task of the peace process, taking the country towards the path to economic prosperity, further consolidating the good relations with China and India and bringing pro-people programmes. “The government is committed to speed up the reconstruction work in the quake-affected districts as well as the distribution of housing grants”, the PM said.

Pledging to ensure consumer’s rights by controlling black market and all activities that are against the interests of consumers, the Prime Minister informed the House that Consumer Courts would be established in all the seven proposed provinces. He said necessary arrangements would be made in cooperation with the private sector for smooth supply of daily essentials including salt, sugar and edible oil during the upcoming festivals.

Modernisation of agro sector, establishment of people’s pension fund, expansion of agro insurance programme and people’s welfare are the top priorities of the government, he said, adding that, “Negligence and sluggishness shall not be tolerated.”

Addressing the House, the Prime Minister unveiled the government’s future plan of opening a medical college in all seven provinces. “There will be a 15-bed hospital at every local unit of the government,” he said.

The duration of OPD services (presently 10 am to 14:00 pm) in the government hospitals would be increased by three hours to run until 17:00 pm, as stated by the Prime Minister.

The government also plans to conduct free of cost DNA test of 20,000 Tharus who are vulnerable to sickle cell anemia, a genetic disease, take measures to make immunization against 11 types of diseases more effective, provide free treatment of eight diseases including heart and kidney failure problems and arrange free eye check-up facilities in schools, he said.

He further promised that girl students completing the school leaving certificate (SLC) exams from the community schools with ‘A’ grade would be provided with scholarship to encourage them to pursue higher studies in community schools.

Prime Minister Dahal shared that the foreign employment sector would be made effective and the government will manage a 24-hour telephone service to respond to the complaints of migrant workers. The government will provide Rs 700,000 to the family of migrant workers who succumb to death while at work.

The Prime Minister also told the house that the Consumers Courts and petroleum depots would be set up in all seven provinces. The government will impart vocational training to 500,000 youths aimed at making them employed.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Dahal also assured to provide a total of Rs 800,000 to the quake survivors for the construction of houses. Of the total amount, Rs 300,000 would be in the form of grant, 300,000 as collective loan and Rs 200,000 as loan. There will be no more dilly-dallying in the post-quake reconstruction work, he pledged. RSS