Valley
Easing fuel supply top priority: DPM
Newly appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamal Thapa has said he will make diplomatic efforts to remove the obstruction in the import of goods from India.Newly appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamal Thapa has said he will make diplomatic efforts to remove the obstruction in the import of goods from India.
With major festivals around the corner, his first priority was to ease the supply of essential commodities and fuel through diplomatic engagement with the southern neighbour. At the ministry on Monday, Thapa also assessed the supply situation of essential goods in the market.
Chairing a meeting of a panel formed by the outgoing government to seek solution of the persisting misunderstanding with India, the minister took stock of the fuel, food items and other essentials available with private and public suppliers.
Chief Secretary Somlal Subedi, Home Secretary Surya Silwal, Foreign Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi, Revenue Secretary Rajan Khanal and a representative from the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies attended the meeting.
Officials apprised the minister that there was a slight increase in the supply of fuel and other stuffs from India since Sunday but it was far below the required volume. The first Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister KP Oli enacted the panel headed by the foreign minister to hold talks with India to ease the import of fuel and other essentials.
Minister Thapa also stressed the need for institutional reforms in the ministry, and strengthening cooperation among the Nepali missions abroad and the ministry.