KATHMANDU: Chairperson of the Unified Socialist party, Madhav Kumar Nepal, has emphasized the need to prioritize agriculture in the 16th Plan, stating that forest and mining-based industries should be established, and policy-level mistakes should be rectified.

“The government should move ahead by instilling confidence in the private sector and adopting policies to encourage its growth,” he added.

Sharing that the development of hydropower and the tourism sector would make a significant contribution to the country, Chair Nepal stressed that the government should focus all its attention on these sectors.

Likewise, Vice-Chairperson of the Rastriya Swatantra Party and Minister for Labour, Employment, and Social Security, Dol Prasad Aryal, pointed out the need for all political parties, the bureaucracy, and the general public to join hands in maintaining good governance.

“The country has to depend on imports due to legal complexities despite having the necessary means and resources for its development and prosperity,” he said, adding that existing laws should be revised to utilize available means and resources effectively.

Chairperson of the Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health and Population, Upendra Yadav, emphasized that the 16th plan should strengthen federalism.

“The country cannot prosper until provinces become resourceful. The concept of planned development should be promoted for the country’s development,” he stressed.

Chairperson of Nagarik Unmukti Party and former Minister Ranjita Shrestha said the national economy should be strengthened by ensuring good governance and establishing social justice in health, education, employment, and other sectors.

Shrestha opined, “The working capacity should be maximized by strengthening the interrelation of all three levels to achieve the goals and objectives of the 16th plan.”