Committee directs govt to address drought-hit region

Kathmandu, July 31: The Development, Economic Affairs and Good Governance Committee under the National Assembly has directed the government to immediately manage additional budget for resolving the problems of drought faced by Madhes Province.

Committee Chairperson Kamala Panta directed the officials from concerned ministries to pay heed to the problems of drinking water and irrigation in several districts, including the drought-hit Madhes Province. Additional budget, along with immediate, midterm, and long-term plans, are necessary to address the drought crisis, she underscored.

The lawmakers argued that the present drought in Madhes is caused by the excessive exploitation of the Chure region. If the human-caused problem is not addressed on time, it will be exacerbated to a crisis, they warned. Narayan Kaji Shrestha said the State needs to make drinking water a top priority.

On the occasion, the Officiating Secretary at the Ministry of Drinking Water, Kamal Raj Shrestha, informed the lawmakers that drinking water was being distributed via tankers at present. Discussion was on with the stakeholders to resolve the problem permanently, he added.