PM responds to comments on govt policy and programme

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli responded to the lawmakers' comments and queries on the government policy and programme at the Legislature-Parliament this afternoon.

Prime Minister Oli defended the government's announcement to hold local elections in December, saying there was a void in the local bodies for over 15 years. Arguing that the Constitution envisaged the civic polls in its transitional provisions and there was no legal obstacles, he further urged all political forces to help hold the elections on announced time.

He hoped that the Parliament would endorse a law necessary to conduct the elections from this very session as demanded by the Election Commission.

"The government policy and programme is a new commitment to build the nation. If we don't take it up, if we don't lead the country towards the path of prosperity then we will remain there were we were," Prime Minister Oli said, expressing his hope that all lawmakers will endorse the government policy and programme.

He also urged all political parties including the main opposition Nepali Congress to cooperate with the government to implement the Constitution.

Oli said the government was committed to implementing the post-earthquake reconstruction plan as soon as possible.

Oli denied charges that the policy and programme was too ambitious to implement and claimed it included concerns raised by the lawmakers including conclusion of the peace process, post-quake reconstruction and overall development of the nation.

The House had conducted deliberations on the document after President Bidya Devi Bhandari presented it on May 8. Meanwhile, the deliberations ended today.

A total of 180 lawmakers took part in the deliberations that started on May 9, according to the Rastriya Samachar Samiti.

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