Deuba resigns

Sher Bahadur Deuba Thursday tendered his resignation from the post of the Prime Minster.

In his televised address to the nation, he said that his party would continue to work for the people even if it was outside the government. 

“I have fulfilled my responsibility of holding the elections of the three levels: local, provincial and federal, and the country is on the verge of forming a new federal government,” he said.

He said that without his patience and effort to mainstreaming the disgruntled parties, the transition period wouldn’t have come to an end. 

“If force had been used in the elections, the transition would have ended technically, but the nation would have entered a phase of into violence and instability.” 

According to him, it was necessary to involve all the political parties in the election with political consensus, and he was successful in holding the election of the House of Representatives and Provincial Assembly in Province 2 with the participation of all the political parties. 

He said that the successful implementation of the elections for the three levels of the government had paved the way for a prosperous Nepal and foundation for a democratic republic. 

Deuba claimed that he completed his commitment to implementing the constitution and holding elections with greater public participation, and expedited the process of formulating the necessary acts, managing human resources as per the demand of the federal structure of the nation and technical preparation. 

“The economy that hit rock bottom during the earthquake and border blockade is gradually coming on the right track. Economic growth is stable now and inflation is at an estimated ceiling. Similarly, revenue collection is satisfactory, and there has been significant growth in Foreign Direct Investment,” he said. 

He said that his government had initiated various economic reforms.

Recalling that he had entered politics inspired by B. P. Koirala some 52 years ago, Deuba said he had never dreamt he would lead the constitution implementation process.

Talking about the development activities carried by his government, Deuba said that the government took the decision to develop the Budhigandaki Hydroelectricity Project with domestic investment and handed over the Kathmandu-Terai-Fast-Track to the Nepal Army. 

“Similarly, there is good progress in the Arun III Hydroelectricity Project, Upper Tamakoshi Hydroelectricity Project, Bheri-Babai Diversion Project, Hulaki Highway and Pokhara Regional International Airport,” he said.

Deuba defended his decision to bring down the age limit for the senior citizen allowance. 

He said that the average age was below 70 years in more than 50 districts, therefore, the government had announced to bring down the age limit to 65 years in order to support them to lead a better life. 

He also said that the post-quake reconstruction has taken speed as more than 60 per cent of the beneficiaries of the housing grant had either completed the construction of their house or are in the process of completing it. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 16 February 2018.