Himal Press 
Chief ministers of Lumbini and Karnali province governments signing MoU in Surkhet.
SURKHET: Karnali and Lumbini province governments have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate for development and prosperity.
The 19-point MoU was signed following discussions held at the Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers of Karnali on Friday.
Karnali Chief Minister Yamlal Kandel and Lumbini Chief Minister Chet Narayan Acharya signed the MoU.
According to officials, the MoU between the two provincial governments aims to embrace the principles of coexistence, coordination and mutual support in line with the core values of the federal democratic republican system of governance.
The commitment outlines cooperation, coordination and collaboration in formulating and implementing provincial laws to maintain uniformity. Both Chief Ministers have expressed commitment to maintaining consistency in provincial taxation and coordinating on the distribution of royalties from natural resources.
Additionally, they have expressed commitment to coordinate with the federal government to expedite the completion of the national pride project, Bheri Babai Diversion Multipurpose Project, and initiate necessary steps to resolve local-level project-related issues in coordination with local governments.
It has been stated that partnership and cooperation will be established with the federal government regarding the construction of the Jamunaha-Hilsa road, Surkhet-Telpani-Bhurigaun road, Rapti Highway, Kohalpur-Surkhet road expansion, and feasibility studies for Kohalpur-Babai and Babai-Chhinchu tunnels.
The two governments have also agreed to initiate necessary steps for regular flights from airports in Lumbini Province to mountainous districts of Karnali Province, request the federal government for Bhairahawa-Surkhet air service, and facilitate resolving issues in the expansion of the Kohalpur-Surkhet 132 KVA transmission line.
The shared commitment includes identifying potential large-scale projects that could benefit both provinces through joint investment, partnering and coordinating for disaster management and coordinating with security agencies to implement programs for effective control and prevention of drug trafficking.
The understanding includes preparing master plans and investing in constructing an integrated tourism route connecting religious tourists in Lumbini to adventure tourism destinations in Karnali, coordinating with the private sector to create joint tourism packages linking tourist sites of both provinces, and agreeing to coordinate and cooperate in hydropower generation, transmission line expansion, and drinking water and irrigation infrastructure construction in rivers flowing through the borders of the two provinces.
Likewise, they have reached a consensus to request the federal government to resolve the border dispute between Bansgadhi Municipality-1 of Bardiya and Bheriganga Municipality-5 of Surkhet district based on prevailing laws and evidence.
