Banepa, January 25

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Local Development Kamal Thapa today said the government had started preparations for holding local bodies’ election.

At a function organised to unveil Panauti Municipality’s budget and programme for the fiscal year 2016/17 BS in Banepa today, DPM Thapa, however, said consensus between political parties was necessary for holding the election.

“Local bodies’ election will be held soon. The government has been carrying out necessary preparations for the same,” he said.

Stressing that the country should move ahead towards the path of development and economic prosperity, DPM Thapa said that no one has now to adopt the path of violence as the new constitution had guaranteed the rights of all groups of people and communities.

“The new constitution has tried to incorporate the opinions and concerns of all. Now no one has to adopt the path of violence,” he said, adding that the new constitution has ensured representation of Dalits, indigenous, Muslims, Tharus and backward communities in all organs of the state.

DPM Thapa said the dispute over state restructuring should be settled through talks.

On the occasion, Executive Officer of Panauti Municipality, Shyam Khadka, presented income and expenditure of Rs 104.8 million for the fiscal year 2016/17 BS.