Kathmandu, Sept 26: Finance Minister Rameshore Prasad Khanal has pledged that reconstruction efforts will be carried out with a strong commitment to austerity.
During a meeting with the heads of Nepal’s development partners at the Ministry today, the Minister assured that the physical structures damaged during the recent Gen Z demonstrations will be rebuilt—even if it requires cutting down on government spending.
Acknowledging the vital role of development partners in Nepal’s socio-economic progress, Minister Khanal shared with the team about the government’s immediate priorities.
“The interim government is committed to establishing a transparent, accountable, and corruption-free society, as well as upholding the rule of law as per the aspirations of youths,” he stated.
The public and private sectors incurred significant losses during the movement, according to him. The government’s efforts, the Minister said, will focus on rebuilding the damaged infrastructure, implementing economic reform programmes, reducing unnecessary expenditures, and maintaining financial discipline.
The United Nations resident coordinator, UNHCR representative, ambassadors of various countries: Japan, South Korea, the United States of America, Switzerland, Finland and Australia, representatives from India and Norway, the European Union and the World Food Programme said they were aware of Nepal’s present situation and expressed consent to the government’s policies and programmes.
They said they are ready to cooperate with the government for giving continuity to the projects under implementation and for operating further programmes as per the need of Nepal.
Ministry Spokesperson Tanka Prasad Pandeya said the meeting discussed about the changed political scenario and the economic roadmap and priorities set by the new government formed following the September 8-9 Gen Z demonstration.
