Result-oriented activities top priority, says Minister Dhakal

KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 27

Newly appointed Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Bhanubhakta Dhakal pledged to focus on result-oriented activities to make the tourism sector, a pillar of national economy, dynamic and robust.

Policy level reforms will be carried out to make the activities in this sector more effective, he said while assuming office in Singha Durbar today. “Decision will be taken immediately to clear all legal hurdles and coordination with other ministries will be strengthened,” he stressed.

Dhakal assured ministry officials and employees saying there was no need to be nervous over the change in the ministry leadership.” I will play a guardian’s role; I don’t just dream, I believe in results,” he added.

The minister stressed on making activities of the ministry transparent and vowed not to indulge in any kind of irregularities.

“Although the minister has changed, government policy and programmes are the same,” he reminded, adding that he was aware that service delivery should not be negatively impacted while the country was going into elections. Minister Dhakal was, earlier, holding the position of health minister. This is Dhakal’s third stint in the government. He was initially the law minister for 14 months.

Secretary at the ministry Yadav Prasad Koirala said tourism and energy were the major bases for guiding the country towards prosperity. The ministry will strategically devise plans and programmes to strengthen the tourism sector, which suffered the worst due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to him, the ministry will focus on developing tourism infrastructure and bringing schemes to prolong tourists’ stay in the country.

Similarly, national pride projects under the ministry will also be accorded priority, he informed.