Provinces 7 and 2 have endorsed their policies and programmes that will allow them to present interim budget for the remainder three months of the running fiscal year 2017/18.

The assembly meeting of Province 7 on Monday endorsed the policies and programmes after Chief Minister (CM) Trilochan Bhatta responded to the queries raised by the lawmakers during deliberations. The assembly also passed a motion of thanks to Governor Mohan Raj Malla, who on Wednesday had presented the policies and programmes.

Responding to the queries made by the lawmakers, CM Bhatta urged all political parties to work together to build a strong foundation to support the federal system.

“Formulation of law is the main priority of the government. We have challenges to speed up development works by use of limited means and resources,” said CM Bhatta.

He also thanked the opposition parties—Nepali Congress and Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal—for their support and suggestions.

Earlier, the opposition lawmakers had assured their support and cooperation to the government to implement federalism set-up.

The province government has prioritised, through its policies and programmes, the use of water resource, forest and herbs for the prosperity of Province 7. Development of tourism infrastructure and reformation in health and education sectors have also been proposed.

A source at the Finance Ministry said the province government is preparing to present the interim budget on Wednesday.

Province 2 also endorsed its policies and programmes on Monday. All political parties, except for Nepali Congress, voted for the endorsement of the policies and programmes.

Province 5 endorses interim budget

RUPANDEHI: The assembly of Province 5 on Monday endorsed its interim budget. Speaker Purna Bahadur Gharti presented put the proposed budget for voting, which was approved unanimously. CM Shankar Pokharel had responded to the queries raised by the lawmakers regarding the budget in the past two sessions. The province executive had presented the budget of Rs 1.20 billion in the assembly on Friday.