KATHMANDU: The Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM) has made public a report detailing its activities and progress over the past week, highlighting government initiatives in security management, policy development, public service delivery and investment promotion.
At a press conference organised on Friday, OPMCM Joint Secretary and Spokesperson Hemraj Aryal briefed the media on the week’s developments and major decisions.
According to Aryal, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Balendra Shah last week. During the meeting, Prime Minister Shah thanked the Indian government for its assistance as a ‘first responder’ following the Bhotekoshi floods and appreciated its support in rescue operations.
The Prime Minister also received briefings from the chiefs of security agencies and instructed them to maintain effective peace and security across the country. He emphasised the need for stronger coordination, information sharing and cooperation among security agencies.
On the administrative front, the government organised a three-day training programme on policy formulation and analysis for gazetted first-class government officials. The programme aimed to standardise policy development and improve the quality of government documents.
Similarly, a draft of the Startup Nepal Portal (Operation and Management) Procedures, 2083, was prepared to simplify and integrate investment-related processes for entrepreneurs engaged in the innovation sector. Feedback was subsequently collected from stakeholders through consultations.
A policy-related committee also held a meeting under the coordination of Chief Secretary Govinda Bahadur Karki to gather suggestions on the draft Personal Data Protection Policy, 2083.
The government has also decided to ensure the effective implementation of the Guidelines on the Use and Promotion of Domestic Products, 2083, requiring public bodies to prioritise domestic goods, construction materials and services in their procurement processes.
Likewise, all ministries and government agencies have been instructed to implement the Regulations on Government Decision-Making Process (Simplification and Digitalisation), 2083, recently approved by the Council of Ministers.
Aryal said that 21 complaints submitted by citizens had been forwarded to the concerned ministries and government agencies for investigation and necessary action. Follow-up activities were also carried out as required.
Regarding investment and infrastructure development, the Investment Board Nepal reported substantial progress in several major hydropower projects.
Physical construction of the 900-megawatt Arun-III Hydroelectric Project has exceeded 77 percent, while construction of its transmission line has progressed by more than 60 percent.
Similarly, financial management documents worth Rs 163 billion for the 900-megawatt Upper Karnali Hydropower Project have been received, and preparations for construction have moved forward.
Investment approvals were also granted for the 58.9-megawatt Nar Khola Hydropower Project, valued at Rs 10.75 billion, and the 46.72-megawatt Sani Bheri-3 Hydropower Project, worth Rs 10.42 billion.
Furthermore, following approval of an investment worth Rs 93.41 billion for the 439-megawatt Betan Karnali Hydropower Project, a committee was formed to negotiate the Project Development Agreement (PDA).
To improve investment facilitation and service delivery, a one-stop service centre was established in accordance with Section 46 of the Public-Private Partnership and Investment Act, 2075.
An Investor Facilitation and Grievance Hearing Desk has also been established and brought into operation to address investors’ complaints and concerns.
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