The Border Area Development Programme targeted for VDCs and municipalities of eight Tarai districts bordering India has begun. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Federal Affairs and Local Development Kamal Thapa inaugurated the programme on Thursday in the district.

The programme targeted for one sub-metropolitan city, six municipalities and 109 VDCs of Saptari, Siraha, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara and Parsa districts includes awareness programmes, agriculture promotion campaigns, social infrastructure development and capacity enhancement, DPM Thapa said. A budget of Rs4.92 billion has been allocated for the five-year-programme.

Informing that Rs 360 million has been allocated for the programme in this fiscal year, Thapa directed local development officers, municipal chiefs and VDC secretaries of the eight districts to immediately formulate a plan. “Prepare a transparent plan after holding discussions with representatives of political parties, think-tanks and service recipients in these areas,” DPM Thapa directed government employees.

The programme will be conducted in four wards of Birgunj Sub-Metropolitan City, three wards of Simraungarh Municipality, four in Gaur Municipality, four in Malangawa, three in Jaleshwor, seven in Siraha and one in Saptari Hanumannagar Municipality along with 109 other VDCs.

Secretary Madhav Prasad Regmi of Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development informed that government prioritised the programme for focused development of Nepal’s Eastern and Mid-Tarai districts because of comparatively low Human development Index in those districts.

Under this five-year-programme, road, irrigation, drinking water, sanitation, agriculture, energy, community infrastructure, environment preservation, capacity enhancement and awareness programmes will be organised, joint secretary at the Ministry Reshmi Raj Pandey said.