Government acting responsibly for citizens’ safety: Minister Gurung

Kathmandu: Minister for Communication and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung has said that the government is acting responsibly to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens.

Speaking at a press conference organized at the ministry on Wednesday to share the latest cabinet decisions, Minister Gurung addressed concerns about the government’s plan to drill 500 deep borings in drought-affected Terai districts. He said the initiative aims to provide immediate irrigation support in dry areas and is a responsible step to address citizens’ problems. He dismissed criticism of the plan as politically motivated.

He further informed that the government has declared drought-hit Terai regions as a crisis zone and has initiated necessary measures for timely intervention.

The minister also announced that the Cabinet meeting held on July 28 approved the acceptance of grant assistance worth 2.8 billion Japanese yen from the Government of Japan for the emergency reconstruction of flood-damaged Sindhuli Road. Additionally, the government will receive a concessional loan of Rs. 18.92 billion from the International Kivas Foundation for the Rani Jamara Kularia Irrigation Project.

Other cabinet decisions include the formation of a three-member task force led by Ramu Prasad Dotel of Parbat. The task force will study and submit a report on standardizing remuneration and service benefits of officials and employees working in state-funded institutions, boards, committees, and public corporations.

The Cabinet has also approved an official visit to Turkmenistan by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to attend the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC-III) from August 3 to 8.