DODHARA CHANDANI, April 8: The Sudurpaschim provincial government has expressed concern after poverty in the province increased by 10 percent.
The government, which is in the final stage of preparing its second five-year plan, said poverty has risen in the current fiscal year compared to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020/21.
The Provincial Policy and Planning Commission is currently holding discussions in various local levels across Sudurpaschim on the draft of the second five-year plan.
Poverty: A Multidimensional Problem, Nepalese Context
According to an expert member involved in drafting the plan, Dr Hemraj Lamichhane, poverty in Sudurpaschim has increased from 24.6 percent during the first five-year plan in FY 2077/78 to 34.16 percent. Achham district has the highest poverty rate at 49.58 percent.
He said the second plan prioritizes employment generation and skill development, access to quality education and healthcare, strengthening agriculture and the rural economy, social security and targeted programs, as well as good governance and effective implementation.
“The plan has been prepared with a long-term vision of building a self-reliant, prosperous, and beautiful Sudurpaschim,” Lamichhane said. “Its objectives include increasing production and productivity to reduce poverty, create employment, and improve income levels.”
The plan also aims to ensure the development of quality, accessible, and sustainable infrastructure and promote a healthy, capable, and dignified standard of living.
The provincial government has also incorporated climate adaptation, conservation and promotion of biodiversity, sustainable use of natural resources, transparent and accountable public service delivery, disaster risk reduction and the development of a technology-friendly province.
Improving local income through the development of agriculture, livestock, small industries and tourism has been given priority in the plan.
