Communication Minister insists on results-based deliveries

KATHMANDU: Minister for Information and Communication Dr Bikram Timilsina has directed the subordinate entities to ensure result-oriented deliveries.

During his address to the third progress review meeting of the Ministry for the current fiscal year 2082-83 BS and the Ministerial Development Action Committee (MDAC) here today, the Minister wanted the Ministry’s subordinate bodies to address issues hampering effective service delivery.

He stressed that the need to end the tendency of avoiding problems and instead adopt a solutions-based approach.

“Wherever the problems lie, the solutions should be explored upon reaching their roots,” he said, adding that questions and problems should be faced and addressed head on.

According to the Minister, there are frequent complaints of budgetary constraint in the implementation of various plans and programmes, the Minister said, however, the expenditures of allocated budget failed to meet the expectation. Reasons behind such situation be identified and addressed.

He stressed that all the stakeholders concerned should effectively carry out their assigned responsibilities to ensure the implementation of polices, plans and programmes set for the current fiscal year.

The Minister also urged employees of the Ministry and its subordinate bodies to move beyond a mere job-oriented mindset and contribute actively nation-building.

He also took time to say that some programmes have been affected in absence of inter-agencies collaboration and cooperation, echoing the need for such cooperation in the Ministry’s efforts to modernize the postal services, providing services to the civic doorsteps.

The Minister also highlighted the need for substantial reforms in statistics management and archiving. “Each employee should take responsibility for achieving this goal, while higher authorities should lend necessary support and facilitation.”

National Planning Commission’s member Pro Dr Sudan Jha stressed that it is essential to center national priority projects on the service of citizens.

“Lack of employees’ efficiency is the major hurdle in the implementation of annual plans and programmes rather resources,” he said.
Giving his presentation on the Ministry’s budget expenditure and the status of plans and programmes, Ministry Joint Secretary Suwash Chandra Shiwakoti said the expenditures so far are not satisfactory.

According to him, a budget of Rs 7.91 billion was allocated to the Ministry in the current fiscal year, while the expenditures till mid-May is 4.02 billion which accounts 50.88 percent of the total allocation.

Similarly, towards the current expenditures, Rs 3.78 billion or 63.58 percent, out of the total allocation of Rs 5.95 billion, has been spent.

Under the capital expenditures, Rs 1.96 billion was allocated while the expenditures amount to Rs 242.8 million, making 12.38 percent of the total allocation.