Govt cares about the working class people: Dr. Khatiwada

Kathmandu, Mar 30

The government has said that it had applied all possible efforts to reduce risks of and fears from coronavirus.

Minister for Finance, and Communications and Information Technology Dr. Yuba Raj Khatiwada said in an interview with the RSS on Monday said that the Cabinet had made some special decision to control the Covid-19 and its impact on working class people specially the daily wage workers.

He reiterated that the government would put every efforts to execute the decisions made by the Cabinet.

"The government is concerned to the plight of the daily wage workers who are in problem after the announcement of the lockdown. Therefore, local bodies are collecting the data of such families and providing relief materials to them. It will help them during the crisis," said Dr. Khatiwada.

According to him, federal, state and local governments have shares in the fund created for the control and treatment of coronavirus and other social organisations would be mobilised for the support. Local bodies in coordination with the provincial governments will collect the data of the people who are facing challenges due to the lockdown and coronavirus.

Such families will get relief material enough for the lockdown period. "Local governments will mobilise relief as per the size of the family. It will be executed in coordination with the state government," said Minister Dr. Khatiwada. "The government will provide additional care to the disabled, sick and orphans."

He said that in terms of the formal sector, the private sector employers should give salary to their workers, and maintained that the enterprises, including the most affected tourism sector, must not shy away from paying the salary of the month of Chaitra to their monthly and daily wage workers.

Saying that the Sunday Cabinet meeting had sought the solution of the problems created by Covid-19 in the economy, he informed that the contributions that should be made by the employers and employees of the firms registered with the Social Security Fund in Chairtra will be deposited by the government.

Dr. Khatiwada said that government had adopted the policy to promote induction cooker in order to tackle with the short supply of LP gas. The government has waived the customs duty on induction with the aim of increasing the consumption of electricity and replace the import of cooking gas.

Since the industries and businesses are closed with the implementation of lockdown, there is sufficient electricity in the system. The government has also decided to offer 30 per cent to 50 per cent discount on electricity charges to the industries that run during the time of crisis.

Consumers using up to 150 units of electricity in Chiatra will get 25 per cent discount in the bills.

Likewise, the government has imposed restrictions in the import of goods like pepper, beetle nuts, peas, dates and liquor as the country has the stock of these goods enough for almost three years. Luxury vehicles have been also restricted for import.

Likewise, the Nepal Rastra Bank has announced various relief measures for the banks and financial institutions and businesses on Sunday. It has increased the size of the refinancing fund to Rs. 60 billion.

Dr. Khatiwada said that all sectors should behave responsibly during the time of crisis, any organisation should not escape from its duties and responsibilities.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 31 March 2020.