PM consults leaders on conference

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Sushil Koirala on Tuesday held consultations with former prime ministers and leaders of political parties representing the Constituent Assembly about the International Conference on Nepal’s Reconstruction 2015 slated for Thursday in Kathmandu.

During the meeting at his official residence in Baluwatar, the PM, Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat and National Planning Commission Vice-chairman Govinda Pokharel briefed about the government’s preparations including drafting of Post Disaster Needs Assessment.

Former PMs Sher Bahadur Deuba, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Baburam Bhattarai, Jhala Nath Khanal, Lokendra Bahadur Chand and former chairman of Council of Ministers Khila Raj Regmi suggested that the government take the international community into confidence and win their maximum support for the country’s reconstruction.

“Overall, the former prime ministers and leaders suggested that the government should lead the reconstruction work though it may receive support from foreign countries,” said CPN-ML leader CP Mainali.

The government informed that the conference will have four main objectives — manifesting international solidarity with Nepalese people in the time of crisis, taking suggestions on reconstruction, receiving commitments from foreign countries on their involvement in Nepal’s reconstruction and using the platform to receive pledges for monetary and other supports, according to Mainali.