Random selection of projects costs effectiveness: parliamentary committee

Kathmandu / Feb 5: The Development Committee of the Legislature-Parliament concluded that development endeavours in the country failed in effectiveness and efficiency due to a trend of selecting development projects haphazardly, ignoring the interests of the nation.

Presenting a proposal at the Committee meeting Sunday, seeking deliberations of the Committee’s monitoring and evaluation report-2-73 BS, Committee President Rabindra Adhikari said flaws in the selection of projects played a major role in causing ineffectiveness in implementation and result.

He expressed his concern that the government failed to implement the Committee instructions meant for making development works effective and meaningful. He went on saying that there was lack of inter-ministerial coordination in the implementation of development endeavours.

The failure to speed up development is attributed to prolonged political instability, Madhes movements and the border blockade, lack of competitive efficiency, dependence and over-politicisation of bureaucracy, corruption and selection of development projects without proper homework.

Likewise, a failure to expedite post-quake reconstructions, lack of regular monitoring and evaluation of any projects, unhealthy competition among construction entrepreneurs, lack of sensitivity of development-friendly environment in constitutional bodies and a lack of people’s representatives at local bodies among others are also a matter of concern, said the report.

Similarly, the trend of announcing any projects randomly by lawmakers as national pride and leaving the implementation part behind has also added to the problem.

Speaking at the meeting, lawmaker Keshab Badal pointed to the failure of bringing any projects based on national need.

Likewise, lawmaker Ram Narayan Bidari argued that the trend among development entrepreneurs to apply for bidding with low construction costs, lack of inter-minister coordination and monopoly of projects chiefs and contractors as the major setbacks.

Lawmakers as Bikash Lamsal, Prem Suwal, Bharat Bahadur Khadka, Ram Hari Khatiwada, Ram Krishna Yadav, Shiva Chandra Chaudhary, Ganesh Man Gurung, Ram Hari Subedi, Tula Raj Bista, Ophila Okheda, Bimal Kumar Kediya, Rajendra Kumar KC, Sita Giri Oli, Madhu Shahi Thakuri, Anarkali Miya, Madan Kumari Sah, Manju Kumari Chaudhary, Gita Chhetri, Ram Ayodhya Prasad Yadav, Amar Bahadur Thapa, Kripasur Sherpa, Shyam Kumar Shrestha, Janak Raj Joshi, Janardan Dhakal, Prem Bahadur Ale, Aaditya Narayan Kashaudhan and Parshuram Tamang drew the attention of the government and Parliament to the matter.

Govt. aims to increase capital expenditure to 80%: Minister Lekhak

Responding to queries raised by lawmakers, Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Management Ramesh Lekhak pointed out some difficulties in the expansion of road network, a main basis for physical infrastructure development.

While admitting that there is not expected development in physical infrastructure, education and health service since the establishment of democracy, he informed that the Ministry aims to increase its capital expenditure to 80 percent this fiscal year.

Referring to the Development Committee which had previously drawn the attention of the Ministry on the Postal Highway, he informed that work on the highway has progressed ahead.

Out of the total 1,800 kilometers, work on 800 kilometers has got ahead while the detailed project report of 1,000 kilometers has reached the final stage, he said.

The feasibility study of Rasuwagadhi-Lumbini railway has advanced and carrying out a study to operate metro rail in Kathmandu has also begun, according to him.

Monitoring and evaluation continue: Minister Pandey

Moreover, putting his views on the report, Minister for Federal Affairs and Local Development Hitraj Pandey admitted to the report and pledged for reforms in the days ahead.

A new work procedure has been adopted to implement the electoral constituency area development programme effective in a real sense so as to avoid a delay in the enforcement of the budget and create an atmosphere conducive for completing development projects on time, he shared.

He informed the meeting that directives have been issued to timely carryout the contract works at local level and informed the Ministry about development progress taken place there. Service delivery at the local-level has been made prompt and transparent, added Minister Pandey.

Independent development strategy needed: Minister Karki

Similarly, in the meeting, Minister for Information and Communications Surendra Kumar Karki complained that the development model Nepal has adopted for some years has served only the centre, while the villages were desperately waiting for infrastructure developments.

He stressed the need to bring a novel policy for development different from the neighbours’. “Nepal needs a solid plan on independent development strategy,” he added.

The Minister shared some development updates as the government has connected the Telecom system with optical fire by signing agreement with Chinese government. Similarly, in view of the modern data system, 4G system was launched through Nepal Telecom, he added. According to him, the installation of optical fibre has begun throughout the country.

Moreover, the post offices were being transformed into the community information centre. The renewal of radio with the capacity upto 500 watt was begun from post offices.

Minister Karki further informed that government was making the royalty distribution (as an honour to artists) process transparent. The State-run media has implemented the minimum remunerations to the journalists and employees, he added.

The Committee is to meet next on February 21. RSS