JUMLA, Sept 8: Jumla Investment Conference aimed at attracting investment has been postponed following non-cooperation from District Coordination Committee and the locals. The conference was scheduled to be held on September 14.
Kantika Sejuwal, the mayor of Chandannath Municipality, on Friday announced that the conference was postponed after complaints were lodged at the Ministry of Finance against the municipality's plan to host the conference in the district.
Jumla Conference on Sept 14
Dismayed over the name of the conference, the DCC had suggested the municipality to rename it as Chandannath Investment Conference instead of referring to the whole district.
A meeting of all stakeholders called for preparation of the conference was boycotted by most of its members, according to Mayor Sejuwal. “The meeting was organized keeping in mind the overall development of the district, not for my personal benefit. A section of the organizers did not support but instead filed complaints at the Finance Ministry,” he said.
Previously, Finance Minister Yubaraj Khatiwada himself had suggested the mayor to fix September 14 as the date for the conference giving his consent to attend the function.
Following consent from the finance minister, the municipality had already sent invitations to around 300 dignitaries including vice-chairperson of the National Planning Commission, NPC members, diplomats and representatives of non-governmental organizations. “This could have been an opportunity to lure investment in Karnali but a section of leaders worked hard to foil the function. It will be counterproductive even for them,” said Mayor Sejuwal, adding, “Can't the municipality organize annual program?”
