“Everyone, including govt officials, should pitch in for the development of the country as we enter a new phase” Jhapa, January 14 Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Development Kamal Thapa today instructed government officials to perform their duties with full commitment. Making public the annual budget and policy prepared by Damak Municipality here today, the minster told the municipal staff to be sincere in carrying out their duties. “As with the promulgation of the new constitution, the country has entered new phase of development, I urge for the support of people from all walks of life, including the government officials,” said DPM Thapa. For the fiscal of 2016-17, the municipality has presented an estimated budget of 236.3 million rupees. On his part, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Agni Kharel, speaking at a programme to make public the budget prepared by Bhadrapur municipality’s 12 town councils in Bhadranpur today, stressed the need for local elections. Nepali Congress General Secretary Krishna Prasad Sitaula also spoke on the occasion. “We know that the people are sad at the absence of local elections for long as that was the only means to elect and send their representatives to the local bodies. But we are committed to hold elections in two years after holding elections for Parliament,” he said.