KATHMANDU:- Prime Minister Balendra Shah discussed with members of the House of Representatives elected from Lumbini Province at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers today.

During the meeting, discussions were held on programs that can be implemented within the current fiscal year 2082/83, long-term infrastructure development, agriculture, tourism, health, education, good governance and social issues.

The MPs participating in the discussion shared about the problems, possibilities and plans of their respective constituencies. On the occasion, MP from Kapilvastu Bikram Thapa proposed to develop Tilaurakot as a ‘Smart Heritage City’, with plans to get Tilaurakot listed on the World Heritage List.

Similarly, control of the Banganga River, construction of a 54-kilometre embankment, and implementation of the DPR, approved with the grant assistance of the Government of India, were raised. Some MPs raised the issue of the shortage of agro-fertilisers.

In the discussion, most of the MPs drew attention to the problems caused by wild monkeys to farms and emphasised urgent work to be done in irrigation, drinking water and health sectors.

The issue of expanding irrigation to about 6,200 hectares of land by restructuring Jagdishpur Lake was also raised. Similarly, the MPs also raised the need for the construction of a 22-kilometre four-lane road from Lumbini to Tilaurakot and the Maryadpur-Tilaurakot road.

MP Sagar Dhakal of Gulmi Constituency No. 1 shared that discussions were held to resolve the problem caused by monkeys and that the government should take further action in this regard.

Likewise, MP Sandeep Rana of Palpa demanded that the strategic road connecting Salyan via Palpa, Arghakhanchi, Pyuthan, and Rolpa be prioritised. He said that the Kaligandaki Corridor, Ring Road, rural road upgrading, and tourism routes should be developed.

MP Narendra Kumar Gupta of Nawalparasi-2 proposed the integrated development of Buddhist and historical areas, including Ramgram Stupa and Devdaha. MP Mohammad Ishtiyaq Rai of Banke said that the government’s special initiative is needed to maintain social harmony and religious tolerance. He emphasised the need to strengthen crime control and surveillance in the border areas.

On the occasion, discussions were held on the need for a policy to develop tourism along with the conservation of the Chure-Bhawar region of Kapilvastu, and the possibility of developing an eco-tourism, trekking, homestay and herbal-based economy.

The Prime Minister’s Secretariat stated that the restructuring of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority, the formation of an independent corruption control body and studying international practices to promote good governance were also discussed during the discussion.

In response, Prime Minister Shah expressed his commitment to addressing the issues raised by the lawmakers on a priority basis. Prime Minister Shah has, since being appointed to the post of Prime Minister, held province-wise deliberations with members of parliament about development, good governance and other contemporary issues. RSS