Baglung, October 20:

National Planning Commission (NPC) member Dr Posh Raj Pandey today said that the commission has begun serious homework for the three-year interim plan. He said that the development process should continue even in the transition period, adding that the commission is working for restoration of peace.

Dr Pandey, who arrived today, is here to monitor development projects in the western region.

Speaking at a function held by the Baglung district development committee here, he urged local development officers in Baglung, Parbat and Myagdi districts to consult the seven-party alliance and Maoists prior to starting development work at the local level.

He also collected suggestions for inclusion of various agenda related to Dhaulagiri zone’s feasible development infrastructure and problems in the proposed three-year interim plan. The participants forwarded suggestions related to the proposed Baglung-Beni-Jomsom Highway, Kaligandaki corridor, reconstruction of physical infrastructure damaged during conflict, need of infrastructure for development works among others.

Dr Pandey pointed out investment along the Chinese border would not be sustainable as the corridor linking Nepal to China is not technically strong.The commission has allocated a sum of Rs 10 million to the red book for construction of the Baglung-Beni-Jomsom Highway.