Deuba puts in his papers as premier

Kathmandu, February 15

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba today tendered his resignation to President Bidhya Devi Bhandari.

Deuba, who was elected Nepal’s 40th prime minister on June 6, stepped down more than two months after holding parliamentary and provincial elections.

Addressing the nation before officially handing over his resignation to the president, Deuba said his government was able to fulfil its major responsibilities of bringing disgruntled groups into the democratic mainstream and ensuring wider acceptance and implementation of the constitution.

“As president of the Nepali Congress, I will devote the rest of my life to make the country prosperous by strengthening inclusive politics and federal democratic republic.”

Acknowledging that his government could not expedite development works as expected due to preoccupation with elections, Deuba said the government was able to make significant progress in big infrastructure projects, such as Kathmandu-Tarai Fast Track, Melamchi Drinking Water, Budhi Gandaki hydropower, Arun-III hydropower, Upper Tamakoshi, Bheri-Babai Diversion, Postal Highway, Pokhara Regional International Airport and the recently-inaugurated Chamelia hydropower.

He lauded the signing of $500 million grant with the United States’ Millennium Challenge Corporation for the development of energy and road transport sectors.

“During my tenure as PM, our historical and friendly relations with India and China have become more trustworthy based on mutual respect,” he said, adding that the government continued its endeavour to strengthen relations with development partners, including the US, the UK, Japan and European countries.

Deuba claimed that the economy was growing steadily, investment was rising, revenue growth was picking up, tourist arrivals were rising, and groundwork had begun to narrow down trade deficit and boost employment opportunities.

He added that Medical Education Commission ordinance was brought to curb anomalies in the medical education sector and highlighted social measures taken by the government, such as allowance for senior citizens above 65 years, mandatory health insurance law, and livelihood allowance for patients of renal failure, cancer and spinal injury. “The government has also made the civil code more contemporary,” he said.