A draft of 10-year Karnali development plan has been unveiled with the vision of developing Karnali as the prosperous area through the means of socio-economic development.
The Karnali Development Commission has prepared the draft of the plan with an objective of improving the living standard of the Karnali locals and achieving prosperity by the proper utilization of available resources and development of human capital.
The Commission has submitted the draft of plan seven months ago to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.
The Commission Tuesday released the document (fiscal year 2016/17-2026/27) as per which more than Rs 1.61 billion would be invested in 10 years.
Target of 10.1 percent economic growth
A target has been set to reduce poverty to 21 percent from 50 percent of Karnali. Around 50 percent population is now below the poverty line in Karnali. The plan has been prepared after holding necessary discussions with stakeholders. On average, 10.1 economic growth rate has been estimated annually during the project term.
On the occasion, member of the National Planning Commission and Chairperson of the Karnali Development Commission, Chandra Kanta Poudel, said that the plan has set a target of witnessing Rs 100,000 per capita income from Rs 38,328, of achieving 59.4 percent literacy rate and expanding road facility from 511 km to 3391 km.
The draft has put infrastructure development of hydropower projects and alternative energy, herbs, irrigation and road facility in priority.
Likewise, poverty alleviation, creation of employment opportunities, public-private partnership, organic agro commercial production, commercial production of apples, foodstuffs, ground nuts, potatoes and other vegetables, integrated settlement and urban development, livestock development and development of tourism, industrial and commerce sector have been insisted on the development plan.
The Commission headed by a member of the National Planning Commission shall comprise five representatives each from five districts in the Karnali zone, finance secretary, NPC secretary and representative of poverty alleviation fund as its members while the PAF executive director shall remain as the member-secretary.
Protection and promotion of local language and heritages of historic and archaeological importance, environment protection and development along with the adaptation of climate change impact, development of vocational and residential education and health, availability of drinking water and sanitation facilities have been accorded high priority in the draft, according to commission officiating executive director Parbati Aryal.
Hilsa-Jumla-Surkhet fast-track, Karnali corridor, Saljhandhi-Dhorpatan-Dunai road, Nakche-Lagna-Gamgadhi road, Karnali station 1 and 2 hydropower project, Tila station 1 and 2 hydropower project, development of Simikot-Rara-Se Phoksundo tourism sector and Phukot Hydropower project have been mentioned as the projects of Karnali pride.
