16th periodic plan: Finance Committee suggests NPC plan only feasible projects
KATHMANDU: The members of the House of Representatives (HoR) have suggested that the National Planning Commission (NPC) should plan only implementable projects. They reminded that development projects should be planned based on need and relevance.
During a meeting of the Finance Committee on the draft of the 16th five-year plan on Sunday, lawmakers urged the NPC to review the 15th five-year plan and make the next periodic plan accordingly.
Former finance minister and committee member, Bishnu Prasad Paudel, suggested that the NPC should have the autonomy to select and decide projects. However, he said that a separate law is imperative to direct the planning commission.
Lawmaker Padam Giri questioned whether the 15th periodic plan was assessed effectively before drafting the new one. He added that strengthening the national economy by making it self-reliant and creating jobs should be prioritised.
Surya Bahadur Thapa opined that the plan needs to be objective and practical. He reminded that the plan must not be whimsical.
Purna Bahadur Tamang demanded that every province be allocated a budget of Rs 1 billion for the medication of poor people. According to him, timeliness, relevance, and significance are elements of an effective plan.
Narayan Prasad Acharya also pointed out the need for creating an atmosphere for NPC’s autonomy.
Biraj Bhakta Shrestha emphasized the need for assessment and relativity in the course of formulating the periodic plan.
Mukta Kumari Yadav suggested aligning the 16th periodic plan with sustainable development goals (SDGs) as time for achieving SDG targets was fleeting.
Similarly, Ganga Karki stated that the promotion of industries, tourism, agriculture, education, and health are points to consider in the next arrangements.
Metmani Chaudhary also focused on job creation, trade balance, and poverty alleviation.
On the occasion, NPC Vice-Chairman Min Bahadur Shrestha shared that the new plan was drafted based on previous practices and with adequate review. He assured that precise and practicable plans will be prioritised.
With the broader goal of ‘good governance, social justice, and prosperity’, the 16th plan aims at building good governance at political, administrative, judicial, private, and non-government fronts. Social justice will be established in the sectors of health, education, employment, housing, and others, thereby ensuring prosperity in human life and the national economy.
The current 15th five-year plan is ending this fiscal year 2023/24.
