POKHARA: Pokhara-Lekhnath Metropolitan City on Thursday held a consultation with provincial government about the government's plans and policies, and the budget for the coming fiscal. The third assembly of the metropolis is bringing the budget of Rs 5.65 billion next Sunday.

Province 4 Mayor Man Bahadur GC consulted with seven ministers of the province including Chief Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung.

The ministers suggested developing Pokhara as a modern city focusing on providing excellent services. The ministers prioritised the development of physical infrastructure.

In the consultation, CM Gurung said, "For developing and making Pokhara-Lekhnath Metropolis prosperous, the provincial government is ready to cooperate with the metropolis." He stressed the conservation of public places, road section management, and the construction of a six-lane main road. The CM urged to focus on the construction of a regional bus park and a metro bus park, a park in every ward, and development of small-scale enterprises.

Likewise, Province 4 Minister for Internal Affairs and Law Hari Bahadur Chuman claimed that the federal government could be strong only if the local and provincial governments became strong. Likewise, Physical Infrastructure Development Minister Ramsharan Basnet said that the conservation of touristic and historical places was an important task, and further stressed the need of making a plan to solve parking problems by placing the wires hung by electric pylons underground.

Likewise, Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment Minister Bikash Lamsal said that the ministry was ready to cooperate with the metropolis to develop Ratna Mandir palace located on the bank of Phewa Lake as a museum.

Similarly, Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Lekh Bahadur Thapa stressed the modernisation of agriculture sector by building cold stores, seeds test laboratory, slaughterhouse, and establishing a model cooperative firm.

Likewise, Social Development Minister and Cooperative Naradevi Pun Magar said the ministry was ready to cooperate with the metropolis to establish the Province University. He also stressed the need to establish a shelter for women who have been subject to violence. Further, he said that the ministry had plans to build a stadium.

Chief Secretary of the province, Narayan Prasad Bidari suggested that the metropolis should prioritise tourism and agriculture sectors.

Also present in the consultation were Deputy Mayor of the metropolis, Manju Devi Gurung, and Chief Administrative Official Shesh Narayan Paudel.