Govt. sensitive towards citizens, PM Oli says

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that though the status of pandemic control is relatively effective in Nepal as compared to some South Asian countries, the situation is yet not to be fully confident.

In an address to the nation through Nepal Television and Radio Nepal today, the Prime Minister said that the fight against coronavirus was challenging and long, and the government is aware of this reality.

Stating that the government was widening the scope of coronavirus tests for the prevention and control of COVID-19, Prime Minister Oli shared that minimum two percent of the entire population would be tested as per the recommendation of the experts. “The test of COVID-19 that began from a single laboratory now has been expanded to more than 20 laboratories in all seven states,” he said.

Likewise, the Prime Minister said that an order would be immediately issued with a detailed plan in regard to repatriating the citizens in distress in foreign countries and also said that he was in serious consultations with the heads of government and state in the destination countries. He also expressed the commitment to rescue Nepalis in trouble from anywhere in the world due to the reason of global pandemic coronavirus. “The government is sensitive towards its citizens.

I urge all to remain assured of it,” PM Oli added. Furthermore, PM Oli reiterated the government policy and programmes to reduce imports of foodstuffs, becoming self-reliant in agriculture, gradually increasing the exports of agricultural goods and generating employment and self-employment in the agriculture sector.

Plans are afoot to use closed hotels and appropriate public structures for quarantine facilities areas as per need, he said. Setting up of quarantine facilities and management and inspection of relief supply and distribution would be increased, Oli said. “Number of quarantine facilities would be increased and their standards reviewed.”

The Prime Minister also said that the country’s economy would be made dynamic amid coronavirus pandemic and some development projects including national pride ones would be proceeded. Construction of the Upper Tamakoshi, Melamchi and Pokhara, Bhairahawa and Kathmandu airports continues and reconstruction of Ranipokhari and Dharahara is underway, he said.

Social security allowances of the people with disabilities and others who are availing it would not be cut. Scope of social security scheme would be expanded. Furthermore, the government shall take care of the contribution to be made to the Social Security Fund by the workers affiliated to the system for the moment.