Minister for Federal Affairs and Local Development Kamal Thapa inaugurated the Border Area Development Programme in Mahottari district on Thursday.

The five-year programme is targeted at one sub-metropolis, six municipalities and 109 VDCs in Mahottari, Saptari, Siraha, Dhanusha, Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara and Parsa districts. The programme is aimed at promoting and supporting agriculture growth, social infrastructure development and capacity enhancement of locals, among others.

The government has allocated Rs 4.92 billion for the programme.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Minister Thapa said the government will spend Rs 360 million in the programme in this fiscal year. He instructed the local development officers, municipal chiefs and VDC secretaries of the eight districts to formulate plans based on the recommendations of the people living in the project-targeted areas.

Madhav Prasad Regmi, secretary of the Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development, informed that government has prioritised the programme for focused development of Nepal’s eastern and mid-Tarai districts, because of comparatively low Human Development Index.

Reshmi Raj Pandey, the ministry’s joint secretary, said development of road, irrigation, drinking water, sanitation, agriculture and energy facilities as well as works related to environment conservation and capacity enhancement will be organised under the programme.