KATHMANDU: Deputy Prime Minister Bimalendra Nidhi on Thursday said the government would provide a support of Rs 1.5 million to veteran Nepali Congress leader Marshall Julum Shakya for his treatment.

The veteran leader had suffered from brain hemorrhage and was recently admitted to the Tokha-based Grande International Hospital.

DPM Nidhi visited the veteran leader at the hospital today and assured him that the government would take care of him.

Nidhi said he met Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal before going to the hospital to ask him for the support. He said the Prime Minister was positive about providing Rs 1.5 million.

Earlier, leader Shakya was admitted to Thapathali-based Norvic Hospital on March 3, but was later referred to the Dhapasi-based hospital after his health failed to show any improvement. He is also suffering from heart and kidney ailments.

The founder member of Nepal Student Union, Shakya had also protested the coup by late King Mahendra Shah against the people-elected BP Koirala-led government in 1960.