By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, July 13: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai has directed the office bearers and staff of the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) to work in the interest of the heritage site not for the middlemen.
Addressing a review meeting of the PADT on Sunday, he directed the organisation to launch the development initiative at the World Heritage Site after conducting public hearing from the representatives of federal, provincial and local parliament, political parties and local leaders.
“I have received compliant that the PADT was working in the interest of middlemen. Whoever is involved in it, it is not good and must be stopped immediately. Consider the interest of the religious site before acting on any plan,” he said.
Minister Bhattarai had conducted an 8-hour long field observation of the Pashupati Area in January this year and issued a 48-point directive, including the immediate and long-term activities.
He had called the review meeting to know the progress and implementation status of the directives issued a half-year ago.
The Minister directed to make preparations to open the Pashupatinath Temple by adopting the health and safety measures for a certain time on a day.
He asked the PADT officials to control every activity that intends to harm the properties and reputation of Pashupatinath for the individual interest. “Various individuals and groups are eying the properties of the PADT, therefore, you must be vigilant to control such activities,” he said.
He drew the attention of the Trust to the encroachment of the land in Gothatar that belonged to Pashupati.
“Immediately fix the boundary of the land and create a fence. If there are any structures created in the land, remove them,” Minister Bhattarai directed.
The country has accorded high priority to Pashupati Area Development by including it in the national pride projects. The UNESCO World Heritage Site attracts millions of tourists and pilgrims each year from Nepal, India and elsewhere.
The minister said that it was important to screen the private investors that intend to make investment at the heritage site since the crooked businessmen could ruin the image of the religious site.
He directed the Trust to announce the budget for the next fiscal within the second week of the new fiscal year. Last year, the PADT had announced its annual budget after three months of the fiscal year.
Member Secretary of the PADT Dr. Pradeep Dhakal and Executive Director Dr. Ghanashyam Khatiwada had updated the minister about the activities of the trust.
The Trust has also prepared a detailed project report of deck parking, Veda school, Deer Park, Bhandarkhal Park and multi-purpose meeting hall. relaxation of lockdown, the supply of green vegetables has improved at the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetables Market.in normal operation from a month ago following the relaxation of lockdown.
Bhagawan Chandra Upreti, a wholesalale market.
He hoped that the farmers were getting comparatively reasonable price than the price of their vegetables a month ago when their produce decayed in the fields due to lack of transportation facility.