By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Jan. 6: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Ishwar Pokharel on Sunday said that the present government was formed after the nation adopted a new federal system as defined by the Constitution and was not the continuation of the past and old political system.
Speaking at a weekly Gorkhapatra Sambad organised by Gorkhapatra Corporation, DPM Pokharel said that it was now time for mid-term evaluation of the government as the government was about to complete its two years in office on February 15, 2020.
As the public are the real auditor of every ruling party, there requires timely evaluation of the works and achievements made by the present government so as to inform the public, he added.
“As we must accept the verdict or decision made through the ballot from the people’s choice, the ruling Nepal Communist Party and the government should do a review and prepare programmes as per its election manifesto so as to fulfill the public aspiration for development.”
“Everyone believing in democracy and democratic culture of the election, be it the opposition or the ruling party, should compulsorily abide by the public verdict given through the ballot box,” DPM Pokharel said.
The present government in the last 22 months had been intensely working to promulgate new acts to match the federal notion by replacing the old acts.
Regarding the issue of border and new map issued by the Indian government, DPM Pokharel said that the government had never said that the government had accepted that new map. Instead, it had expressed its official views by sending a diplomatic note, which had never happened before.
All these issues raised today on border and map can be spoken and dealt only on the basis of our historic Sugauli Treaty and other agreements reached with India, he said.
When asked about 500 million USD support by the US government under Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), and its linkage with Indo-Pacific Strategy and discussion within the ruling party meeting, DPM Pokharel said that the government would accept all kinds of international funds that were for the people’s welfare and national development.
“The important concern
here is that which we had already clarified at different levels and forums that the government and the country would not involve in any type of military alliance of any country’s interest, DPM Pokharel said.
The issue of BRI, MCC and IPS are not like a ‘game of odd and even’ and should be addressed through political forums and public debate and discussions, he said.
“Acceptance of any foreign supports should be done on the basis of our national interest that matters more and that we (the government) have to focus,” Minister Pokharel said.

DPM Pokharel clarified that the government extended lease term of Gokarna Forest Resort of the resort before the term expired as it was done according to the laws.

The government took the decision as it was about to get more than Rs. 4 billion in 30 years, which is higher than the previous amount done through the past renewal, he said.
The estimated cost or the revenue to be received by the government was fixed by holding consultation with noted chartered accounts, taking consent and informing to Gokarneshwore Municipality, Hotel Association of Nepal, Tourism Ministry and concerned environmental experts, DPM Pokharel said.