KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli today said that the government was moving on the path to self-reliance by producing petroleum products within the country, within next two years.

Inaugurating the 8th national general convention of the Press Chautari Nepal, the organisation of journalists close to his CPN-UML party, the PM informed that petroleum deposits had been found in Dailekh. He also mentioned that an iron deposit was explored in Nawalparasi district and it would generate an income of over Rs 10 billion annually, if extracted and used properly.

Of late, the Prime Minister has been drawing flak from members of the public for talking about various ambitious projects, but failing to speed up actions in reality.

He, however, has been making new propositions in almost every public function he speaks in.

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Amid criticisms of the incumbent government for its preparations to bring an ambitious budget, he also said that the government would bring the budget aiming to speed up development activities in the country and urged all including intellectuals and journalists to understand the fact in this regard.

On the occasion, the PM also launched two books published by the organisations as souvenirs.

Former President of the Federation of Nepali Journalists Shiva Gaule was awarded with the Hridaya Chandra Singh Memorial Award at the function.

Likewise, Devraj Aryal was honoured with the Agnishikha Memorial Journalism Award, Yagyaraj Thapa with the Dekendra Thapa Memorial Award and Dilip Kumar Singh with the Birendra Sah Memorial Journalism Award.

(With inputs from the Rastriya Samachar Samiti)