Govt committed to resolving citizen issues gradually, says Minister Pokharel

KATHMANDU: Minister for Education and Sports Sasmit Pokharel has expressed confidence that the government will gradually address all issues raised by citizens.

Speaking at a public hearing organized in Kathmandu Constituency No. 5 on Sunday, Minister Pokharel pledged to take maximum initiative to resolve local concerns related to roads, sewage, electricity and drinking water.

Elected from the same constituency, Minister Pokharel had earlier committed during the election campaign to hold one public hearing each month. Accordingly, he conducted the first session at the Bishal Milan Center in Ward No. 4 of Kathmandu Metropolitan City.

The minister, who also serves as government spokesperson, said the government’s policy is to move forward by listening to citizens’ grievances and feedback.

During the programme, he briefed participants on the priorities of the Ministry of Education and the government’s overall performance to date.

Presenting a progress update, Minister Pokharel said budget allocation and resource distribution for community schools would be prioritized from the next fiscal year following a nationwide assessment of physical infrastructure.

He said earlier attempts to distribute social sector budgets uniformly had created challenges, adding that future allocations would be based on the actual needs of individual community schools.

Minister Pokharel also informed that an expert committee would be formed to ensure that vice-chancellors are selected on the basis of competence and specialization, aiming to make the appointment process more transparent and professional.

He reiterated his commitment to listening to public concerns and working toward their gradual resolution.

During the public hearing, locals raised issues ranging from school admission fees to infrastructure problems such as roads, electricity and drinking water.

Residents complained that Melamchi drinking water had not reached the constituency and that supplied jar water was often contaminated. They also urged the minister to address concerns related to school fees, lack of proper sewage management, road construction delays and inadequate CCTV coverage.

Similarly, participants expressed dissatisfaction that results of examinations conducted by the Tribhuvan University Service Commission had not been published even six months after the exams.