Reconstruction will be carried out with austerity: Finance Minister Khanal
KATHMANDU: Finance Minister Rameshore Prasad Khanal has pledged that reconstruction efforts will be carried out with a strong commitment to austerity.
Speaking at a meeting with the heads of Nepal’s development partners at the Ministry of Finance (MoF) in Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, today, Minister Khanal assured that physical structures damaged during the recent Gen Z protests will be rebuilt even if it requires cuts to government spending.
Acknowledging the vital role of development partners in Nepal’s socio-economic progress, Khanal outlined the government’s immediate priorities.
"The interim government is committed to establishing a transparent, accountable and corruption-free society, as well as upholding the rule of law as per the aspirations of youths," he said.
He said the public and private sectors had incurred significant losses during the movement and added that the government’s efforts will focus on rebuilding damaged infrastructure, implementing economic reform programmes, reducing unnecessary expenditure and maintaining financial discipline.
The UN resident coordinator, the UNHCR representative, ambassadors from Japan, South Korea, the United States, Switzerland, Finland and Australia, and representatives from India, Norway, the European Union and the World Food Programme said they were aware of Nepal’s present situation and expressed support for the government’s policies and programmes.
They said they were ready to cooperate with the government to ensure continuity of projects under implementation and to operate further programmes as required by Nepal.
Ministry spokesperson Tanka Prasad Panday said the meeting discussed the changed political scenario and the economic roadmap and priorities set by the new government following the September 8–9 Gen-Z demonstration.
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