He said the government in its policy and program has given priority to energy generation, infrastructure development, agriculture, industrial development, tourism promotion, employment generation and social development, among others. The finance minister is scheduled to unveil the annual budget based on the policy and program on Tuesday.The government's policy has stressed on adopting earthquake-resistant technology for building private and business houses, buildings of historical, cultural and archeological importance, government buildings, health infrastructures and roads, among others.
The prime minister also assured the lawmakers that the government will set up the recently-announced Reconstruction Authority and begin its task without further delay.
"The authority will come up with an action plan and begin its task," the prime minister said responding the lawmakers' queries in parliament.
The president had presented the government policy and program last week.
Local elections soon
As a large number of lawmakers from Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML, Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal (RPP-N), and some other fringe parties criticized the government for not fixing a specific date for holding local elections, the prime minister said the government is committed to holding local polls without delay.
"It is very clear that the task of reconstruction, service delivery and development activities have not gained momentum mainly because of absence of elected representatives at the local level," he said. "Therefore, local elections will be held as soon as possible in coordination and cooperation with political parties."
Guided by vision-2030
The prime minister said the government's policy and program is guided by a vision of upgrading Nepal to the status of middle-income country by 2030.
"This transformation is not possible without broader and higher economic growth," said the prime minister. "Therefore, our policy is inspired by the objectives of maximum utilization of natural resources, capital expenditure and foreign aid."
He said the government has given priority to ensuring that there is no shortage of resources needed for multi-year projects. He also assured of simplifying public procurement process by removing hassles created by obsolete laws and other hindrances such as land acquisition and compensation to local communities when implementing mega projects.
The prime minister announced that Hulaki (postal) Highway, Kathmandu-Tarai Fast Track, Mid-Hill Highway, North-South Highway and other strategic road networks are government's priority projects.
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