KATHMANDU, May 17: Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said the local government needs to focus on long-term planning rather than temporary politics.
At a programme organized by Tokha Municipality to garner suggestions for upcoming policies, programmes and budget today, Minister Khanal reiterated that it was not wise to stress immediate political benefit in the plans but the sustainable development approaches. "The local governments have the opportunity to work for the coming generation- for 20/25 years. So, shun shortsighted attitude," he asked.
Also the lawmaker from constituency no 6 of Kathmandu, Minister Khanal suggested that Tokha Municipality could think of raising well managed settlements in the northern belt because the population there is still sparse compared to the lower belt. Management of the Saturday bazaar featuring indigenous Newari culture of Tokha could boost tourism, while running homestays is equally rewarding, according to him.
He also viewed the expansion of the Tokha-Chhahare tunnel could create problems for several settlements in the Tokha area, so measures to minimize problems could be considered on time. Other issues he suggested were development of Sanglakhola and Bishnumati River corridors as alternative routes with less invasion and enforcement of digital service for tax payment.
Dealing with stress
On the occasion, Bagmati Province Member and former minister at province, Hari Prabha Khadgi, suggested that the local level could keep in-centre the people by utilizing the available resources. Politics in the name of development is no more acceptable, she underscored.
Former minister Dr Banshidhar Mishra also reminded the aspiration of locals and constitutional rights to forward development activities.
Mayor Prakash Adhikari informed that the local government would incorporate the genuine suggestions from the stakeholders in the forthcoming policies and programmes and budget.
Chief administrative officer Kamal Bhattarai was of the view that they had given special priorities to social initiatives like day meal to students, health check up, children nutrition programme, and conservation of public lands, among others. Even the corridor construction is underway, he added.
There are 11 wards in Tokha Municipality which houses 137 thousand people.
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