BUTWAL, Oct 20: Deputy Prime Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara has said the government was acting responsibly to hold elections in all three tiers within coming 14 months as stipulated by the constitution. 

Inaugurating the National Industry, Agriculture and Tourism Promotion Fair and Tihar Fair 2016 here Thursday, DPM Mahara said local body elections was the top most priority. The local body elections would be held after finalizing the structure of the local bodies, while the ultimate goal is to implement constitution and ensure political stability in the country, he underscored. 

On a different note, DPM Mahara said time has come that Nepal focused on domestic productions and reduced trade deficit. Once the trade deficit is reduced, dependency on foreign country would also decline, he said, stressing, "Government is committed to promoting national industries." 

According to him, socialist economy can not thrive in the absence of cooperation between government and private sector. It is government's stand that private sectors must be promoted and protected for boosting national economy. 

On the occasion, CPN (Maoist Centre) leader Haki Ullah Khan expressed worry how short-sighted Nepal was in reaping benefit from the developed neighbours. 

Central Chairman of Nepal National Industry and Trade Organization, Shyam Bahadur Pathak, urged the government to promote and protect national economy to make it self-reliant. 

The fair would continue for two weeks. There are 422 stalls in the fair. RSS