Low-cost houses for Dalits soon

The government will abide by its social responsibility to Dalits and marginalized communities, said Finance Minister Surendra Pandey. "We are going to build 3,000 low-cost houses for Dalits of Siraha, Saptari and Kapilvastu districts," he said in a press meet here today.

In the first phase, 320 houses will be built in Dom villages of Saptari district, he said adding construction will start next month. The government has developed two models of low-cost houses which cost Rs 60,000 and 1,20,000, respectively. Finance secretary Rameshwor Khanal said the government will provide subsidy on compost fertilizer. "We have taken this initiation to enhance soil productivity," said Khanal. As per the plan, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) will provide 50 per cent grant in establishment of a compost fertilizer plant and 15 per cent subsidy on the product.

Moreover, the government will provide work to over 20,000 people in development projects in the fiscal year 200910. The new budget has promised to provide 100 days work to 50,000 people.

MoF is studying mega projects to meet the target, said Pandey.

However, the government has not achieved all economic targets set for the first four months of the fiscal year. "Development projects are at a satisfactory level and we can meet the target by this fiscal end," he told the media about progress in the first four months.

FM Pandey said price hike stepped down by one digit, which was two digits since last year. Export reduced but import grew significantly. "It is a challenge to increase the export volume," he said, Foreign exchange reserve has also gone down in the period.

The government expended Rs 45.72 billion until November 27. However, the capital expenditure is limited to Rs 7.12 billion. MoF has collected Rs 50.38 billion revenue, which is 34.3 per cent more than the preceding fiscal year.

Inauguration of a fast-track road between Kathmandu and Nijgadh, embankment in Bagmati, Kamala and Triyuga rivers and Upper Tamakoshi hydropower are achievements of the government. It has selected 919 projects in conflict-affected zones, among which 409 are in operation. The government has also finalized the initial process of distribution of bio-metric identity cards for Nepalis.