Karnali govt approves 18 key decisions, including hydroelectric investment

KATHMANDU: The Cabinet meeting of the Karnali Province Government held today has made several important decisions, as announced by the government spokesperson, Binod Kumar Shah.

A total of 18 decisions were made during the meeting.

One of the key decisions was to recommend the calling of the Fifth Session of the Second Term of the Karnali Provincial Assembly to the Province Chief, scheduled for Jan 20.

Spokesperson and Minister for Land Management, Agriculture, and Cooperatives, Shah, also informed that the meeting approved the draft of several important documents, including the Karnali Province’s Second Periodic Plan, Local Services (Formation and Operation) Regulations-2081, Disaster Risk Collective Accident Insurance Program Operational Guidelines-2081, and the Draft Bill concerning the Management of Public Communication in Karnali Province.

Other approved documents included the Karnali Province Financial Governance Risk Assessment Procedure-2081, a revised version of the Karnali Province Government’s Financial Procedures and Fiscal Responsibility Bill, which is set to be presented in the Provincial Assembly.

Additionally, the meeting provided theoretical approval for the draft Bill concerning the establishment and operation of the Karnali Pragya Institute, as well as the Karnali Province Aquatic Life Conservation Bill. Other approved policies included the Integrated Scholarship Distribution and Management Guidelines-2081, the Chief Minister’s Digital Education and Model Schools Program Guidelines-2081, the Career Guidance Service Center Operation Guidelines-2081, the School Infrastructure Expansion and Improvement Program Guidelines-2081, and the Women Entrepreneurs Award Distribution Guidelines-2081.

The meeting also decided that the Karnali Province Government would invest Rs 41.49 crore (around 360) in the 120 MW Jagdulla Hydroelectric Project in Dolpa, which features a semi-reservoir.

Further, the shared commitment between Karnali and Lumbini Provinces was approved, alongside a request to the Ministry of Women, Children, and Senior Citizens of the Government of Nepal to establish and operate a juvenile reform home.

According to Shah, the term of the member-secretary of the Karnali Provincial Sports Development Council has expired, and preparations are underway for a new appointment.

The meeting also decided to move forward with discussions on a Bill to promote the empowerment and improvement of the living standards of the Dalit community once the fourth session of the Provincial Assembly concludes and the committees are formed.

Additionally, the unified protest by the Dalit Rights Unified Movement Nepal, which had been ongoing for the past 18 days, has been called off starting today.