NPC, provincial planning commissions, local govts discuss 16th plan

KATHMANDU: National Planning Commission (NPC) has held discussions with the representatives of provincial planning commissions and local governments regarding the formulation of the 16th periodic plan. Vice chairpersons of all the provincial planning commissions except for Koshi Province participated in the discussion held at NPC office in Singha Durbar to take suggestions for the 16th periodic plan. Representatives from Association of District Coordination Committees of Nepal (ADCCN), Municipal Association of Nepal (MuAN) and Association of Rural Municipalities also participated in the discussion chaired by NPC Vice-Chairman Min Bahadur Shrestha. Vice chairpersons of planning commissions of Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces, Nathu Prasad Chaudhary, Narbikram Thapa, Krishna Chandra Devkota, Nahakul KC, Yogendra Bahadur Shahi and Mohan Dev Bista respectively, made suggestions on 16th plan. Moreover, Association of District Coordination Committees of Nepal (ADCCN) Deputy Secretary General Dipak Kumar Gautam, Municipality Association Chairperson Bhim Prasad Dhungana and Association of Rural Municipalities Advisor Lekhnath Pokharel made suggestions on the 16th plan. Most of the representatives present at the discussion suggested that there should be a plan to increase productivity in the agricultural sector and help in job creation. They opined that the 16th five-year plan should pay attention to making health services easy and accessible and prioritise quality education. Chairpersons of provincial planning commissions suggested paying special attention to improving the deficiencies in the 15th periodic plan. If the forest can be managed scientifically, it could contribute 15% to the total gross domestic production (GDP), they opined. It was suggested to formulate a policy to reduce the import of furniture and prioritise using domestic wood products. Some other suggestions included the opening of glacier water industry and exporting such water, creating jobs through information technology, and focusing on the production of skilled manpower. Also present on the occasion were other members of NPC including Ram Kumar Phuyal, Jay Kant Raut, Prabhu Budhathoki, RP Bichha, Ramesh Chandra Paudel, Anita Shah Dhungana and Member Secretary Toya Narayan Gyawali. The NPC has already taken suggestions from its former vice president, former members and experts. READ ALSO:

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