Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that the government is prioritizing the construction of local-level hospitals and infrastructure development projects that were initiated during his previous tenure.
Responding to questions raised by lawmakers during Sunday’s session of the House of Representatives, Oli recalled that he had identified the need for strategic roads in electoral constituencies and basic hospitals in every local unit and initiated their construction during his previous tenure. He added that subsequent governments had canceled these programs.
“Completing the construction of all roads and hospitals requires a large budget. Some of these hospitals have already been completed. The remaining roads and hospitals are being constructed on a priority basis, considering the available resources and means,” Oli said. “The government has given high priority to the health sector. Infrastructure development for hospitals and human resource management are being prioritized in resource allocation.”
Similarly, Oli added that the government is focusing on road infrastructure development and allocating the budget accordingly.
Oli also said that Rs 3.95 billion has already been disbursed for the districts affected by the Jajarkot earthquake. He added that the first and second installments of relief funds have been sent to all earthquake-affected individuals in Rukum and Jajarkot districts, as recommended by the District Disaster Management Committees.
“A team of engineers will be deployed to the field this week for a detailed damage assessment of the Jajarkot earthquake,” Oli said, adding that the National Disaster Management Council has approved a reconstruction and rehabilitation plan worth Rs 101 billion, with a clear roadmap for rebuilding private homes and physical infrastructure.
Oli also said that the government was working on policy, institutional and managerial reforms to address issues in the cooperative sector.
