Nepali gov't set to bring rural investment plan

Nepali government is planning to bring in a massive rural investment plan, English newspaper, The Himalayan Time, reported on Wednesday.

Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat was quoted by the newspaper as saying that the proposed plan will emphasize employment and income generation in order to revitalize the rural economy.

Speaking at Reporters' Club in Kathmandu on Tuesday, the minister said "The plan will focus on reconstruction and rehabilitation of infrastructure as well as economic activities."

Although Mahat didn't mention when will the plan come into force,he said that the program will focus on sustaining peace by means of developmental activities.

"The economic and development issues will be on priority along with the political ones, to render peace long lasting," he said.

He further said that the government will pull domestic resources as well as seek international donors' support for the proposed plan.

"We must seek donors' support since the domestic resource is not enough. The non-budgetary expenses by the past government have already put the economy into a ditch," he added.

Mahat also said that the government will completely scrap the unnecessary and unproductive expenses to the Royal Palace, and stop recruitment of any security personnel and purchase of military goods.

"There will be no additional expenses on defense and police as well as on new recruitment," Mahat said.

Source: Xinhua