Kathmandu, May 21 :

Experts today urged the government to focus on and give priority to development activities rather than mingling in petty affairs.

As per the spirit of people’s movement-II, developmental works should be given high priority for economic development and employment generation, they said while addressing a programme organised by the Everest Club Nepal on ‘the ways and means to boost economy in the context of changed political system’ in the capital today.

Dr Shanker Sharma, former vice-chairman of the National

Planning Commission (NPC) stressed on the need to expand road network in 14 districts, which are yet to be connected with road access, to expand development activities in the country.

“The government needs to inject Rs 12 billion immediately for road construction and Rs 80 billion for electricity generation,” he said adding that the money is needed to generate additional 750 MW of electricity. He also said that for a period of one year, Nepal requires Rs 32 billion of foreign aid.

Similarly, Dr Raghav Dhoj Pant, former member of National Planning Commission said that there will not be the shortage of funds for the government for rehabilitation.

“Development projects should be effectively run on priority basis. This government is also following earlier government’s policies and programmes,” said Dr Pant.

“Due to uncertainty it has been difficult to expedite sustainable and development projects,” he added.

Dr Pant also warned that economic problems would increase further despite political solution.

Similarly, economist Dr Chandramani Adhikari said that revenue mobilisation in the first nine months of the current fiscal year had gone negative.

“Economic growth rate is very nominal compared to population growth,” he added.