Biratnagar, Mar. 21: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that the local level should work to win the confidence of the people.

Laying a foundation stone for the administrative building of the Sundarharaicha Municipality at Salakpur-8 in Morang district today, PM Deuba reiterated, "The people's representatives should work as per the aspirations of the public since the local level was the basis for federalism."

Wishing that may the municipality possessing tremendous potential for the development of industry, tourism and agriculture undertake important works for its prosperity, Deuba argued that systematic urbanization was the need of the hour and viewed that everyone should pay attention towards that end.

PM Deuba underscored the need for proper development of touristic sports in the municipality.

Wetlands like Hasina Simsar, Baghjhoda and Betana have been natural tourist spots in the municipality while the municipality boasts of other attractions such as Cha Pokhari, Miklajung, Naya Brindaban, Sesh Narayan Divyadh and Bhulke among others.

The Prime Minister pledged an additional budget for the construction of the administrative building from the federal government as well as for the establishment of the medical college in the Purbanchal University that lies in the municipality.

He said that the incumbent government was committed to holding the coming local level election in a free, fair, dignified and fearless environment and called for cooperation and coordination from all quarters for timely election.

The local level election is slated on May 13 this year in a single phase.

The Head of the Government clarified that it was the responsibility of the Election Commission to hold the election and the government would facilitate the Commission for the same.

Culprit of Letang Incident to be brought to book

Prime Minister Deuba instructed authorities concerned to launch an investigation into the Letang incident and punish the culprit. Police personnel (woman) was killed in a clash at Letang Municipality in Morang recently.

Female police constable Urmila Shrestha was killed when a group of agitating local people and students attacked her in a case wherein a local school teacher sexually harassed a 12-year-old girl at Kheruwa in Morang district. Manoj Paudel, 56, who teaches at Kheruwa-based Sikchha Bikas Secondary School, has been accused of sexually harassing the girl, a grades 6 student at the same school, while celebrating Holi festival on Friday.

To discuss the matter, an all-party meeting was called for Sunday. But the protesting local people tried to capture and attack the accused teacher in the meeting. In the process, they attacked security forces mobilised to take the situation under control, resulting in the death of Shrestha. She sustained sharp weapon wounds in the neck and chest.

On the occasion, lawmakers Gopi Bahadur Achhami, Ramesh Jung Rayamajhi and Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal drew the attention of the government to the issues of public concern.

Spanning 4.1 bighas of land, construction of the administrative building is estimated to cost Rs 270 million, said Sundarharaicha Municipality Mayor Shiva Prasad Dhakal.

He also demanded that the Purbanchal University runs a medical college. The University was established around three decades ago.

Similarly, PM Deuba inaugurated a newly constructed building for a 25-bed city hospital at Sundarharaicha Municipality-1.

On the occasion, the PM honoured those who have donated lands and contributed to the establishment of the hospital.