Himal Press 
ITAHARI: The coalition government in Koshi Province has unveiled its common minimum program.
The common program of the province government includes ambitious plans ranging from waterway development to regulated cannabis cultivation.
Chief Minister Hikmat Karki received the eight-page draft from a six-member task force that was formed by the ruling coalition in the province on September 22.
The program proposes several major initiatives. Among the notable proposals is a plan to work in coordination with the federal government for cannabis cultivation as well as a plan to promote branding and marketing of local liqors.
Likewise, the program includes a plan to conduct feasibility studies for three waterway transportation routes: Khurkot-Chatara, Tumlingtar-Chatara and Tamor-Chatara.
In the healthcare sector, the program includes plans to expand and decentralize free medical services for pregnant women, new mothers and children under 10 years. It also includes plans to restructure the Shailaja Acharya Heart Disease Center in Biratnagar.
Education reforms feature prominently in the program with a focus on linking school education with production.
The task force comprised three representatives each from the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML. Minister for Economic Affairs and Planning Ram Bahadur Magar, Chief Whip Rebati Raman Bhandari and Province Assembly Member MP Tilchan Pathak represented UML in the committee, while Minister for Physical Infrastructure Development Minister Bhupendra Rai, Deputy Leader of Parliamentary Party Himal Karki and Chief Whip Gopal Tamang from Nepali Congress were in the committee.
On the occasion, Chief Minister Karki said that the province government’s activities will be guided by this common minimum program.
