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Khatiwada appointed NPC vice-chair
The Cabinet on Wednesday appointed former Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) governor Yuba Raj Khatiwada as the vice-chairman of the National Planning Commission (NPC).
The Cabinet on Wednesday appointed former Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) governor Yuba Raj Khatiwada as the vice-chairman of the National Planning Commission (NPC). The NPC had remained vacant since last week after its members resigned along with the change in the government.
This is Khatiwada’s second stint as the vice-chairman of the country’s planning body. He previously served there from June 24, 2009 to March 21, 2010 before being appointed as the NRB governor.
Noted for his performance as the central bank governor, Khatiwada is particularly lauded for his contribution in controlling bad governance practices and consolidating the banking sector.
He expects to improve the NPC’s efficieny in delivering results. “My challenge will be to show that the institution is still relavant by delivering results,” he said.
Although the previous group at the NPC had worked on uplifting the institution’s status and developing it as a think tank for the government on planning issues, Khatiwada said the NPC could still emerge as a think tank under the existing mandate if people having good expertise on various sectors are appointed.
According to him, his immediate priority will be to coordinate with various government agencies to improve the economic conditions that the country is facing following the April 25 earthquake and the unofficial Indian embargo.
Rebuilding works are yet to gather pace as the reconstruction authority is yet to come into full shape. Major development projects have also stalled due to the fuel shortage and lack of construction materials as a result of the ongoing Tarai banda.
Khatiwada said that the NPC would carry out basic works of reconstruction authority such as preparing modality of house construction and preparing necessary legal documents until the authority is formed.
“Even though the political crisis is not in our hands, we will work to ensure that development activities are continued,” he added.
The NPC will start preparing the next periodic plan by focusing on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The current 13th plan expires at the end of current fiscal year.