Kathmandu. Kulman Ghising, who was relieved of his responsibilities in three ministries, has said that he has tried to work keeping the country and people at the centre during his tenure in the post.

Speaking at a press meet organized at the Ministry after resigning from the post of Minister, he said although the tenure was short in view of time, a strong foundation has been laid for important policy-level reforms.

“We have instilled hope and belief among the people that change is possible if honest efforts are made,” Ghising said, adding, “The government’s presence was not limited to papers, it was visible in the field.” Under the direct direction and active leadership, the work was done as per the expectations of the people. ”

Ghising said that his resignation was not an attempt to demand a decision and to shirk his responsibility, but a continuation of his self-respect, morality, principles and commitment to the people. “I consider it my true duty to stand for the country and people not only while in office but also out of office,” he said.

Though his name was mentioned in the agreement reached between Ujyalo Nepal Party and Rastriya Swatantra Party, it has not been formally implemented yet. He said that he has not taken membership of any political party till date despite his support and goodwill.

Stating that he was of the view that he would join the party only after formally entering into the political life, he said that it was a misconception to exert pressure to appoint his own person to the post after the resignation.

Political life begins tomorrow

Ghising, who is also the patron of the Ujyalo Nepal Party, made it clear that he would start his active political career from tomorrow. Stating that his political journey has come to a halt due to the responsibility of three ministries, he said he would raise voice against the anomalies prevailing in the country in the coming days.

{{TAG_OPEN_strong_56}Dear Sisters and Brothers,

“Today, after 115 days of my charge as a minister in the government formed after the Gen-G movement, I have resigned from my ministerial post after 115 days of the charge of energy, water resources and irrigation, physical infrastructure and transport, and urban development. Today, I stand before you as a responsible citizen who has resigned from the post of minister.

I had accepted this responsibility at the request of the Honorable Prime Minister and as per the wishes of the Gen-G movement. First of all, I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to the Honorable Prime Minister who trusted me and entrusted me with this responsibility, and to the Gen-G brothers and sisters who stood for change. At the same time, I express my deep gratitude to all the people of Nepal who have placed their trust, hope and expectation in me.

My decision to resign is neither a decision to run away nor an attempt to shirk responsibility. This is a continuation of my self-respect, morality, principles and commitment to the people. I consider it my true duty to stand in favour of the country and people not only while in office but also while staying out of office. I believe that there is a greater value than a position, a principle. Self-esteem is above the chair. And the people are bigger than the government.

Although my name was mentioned in the agreement reached between the Ujyalo Nepal Party and the Rastriya Swatantra Party, it has not been formally implemented yet. Despite my support and goodwill, I have not taken membership of any political party so far. I am of the clear opinion that I will join the party only after my formal entry into political life.

There has been a deliberate misleading propaganda about pressuring him to appoint his own person to the post after resigning, which I categorically deny. Truth is always stronger than preaching. I think it is necessary to remind us that the history of the Prime Minister and ministers of the interim and election governments contesting the elections while in office belongs to Nepal.

During this period, I tried to work keeping the people at the centre, not the post. Although the period is short in terms of time, a strong foundation has been laid for important policy reforms. It has instilled hope and belief among the citizens that change is possible if sincere efforts are made. At the same time, it has also provided an opportunity to recognize the reality of why the state mechanisms are not working as expected. To end the suffering of the people due to the delay in the construction of roads and bridges, to fulfill the dream of making irrigation, urban services and infrastructure the backbone of development – these are not my personal wishes, these are the common aspirations of the common people of this country.

The government has decided to set up Irrigation Management Company Limited to construct 500 deep tube wells in the initial phase and irrigate 22,500 hectares of land in Sarlahi and Rautahat districts.

A study committee has been formed to make policy arrangements for the formation of a management company to ensure the investment of farmers and farmers’ consumer committees in the hydropower generated from multipurpose projects including Ranijamara Kulariya and other multipurpose projects and the final report has been received and sent to the Ministry of Finance for suggestions.

Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGI) have signed a Joint Venture Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the construction of 400 KV transmission lines between Nepal and India.

The agreement will ensure the completion of these inter-country transmission lines by 2030 and will create an environment for additional 5000 MW of electricity to be imported and exported between Nepal and India. Bangladesh has been importing 40 megawatts of electricity from Nepal in addition to 20 megawatts of additional electricity.

Reconstruction of government infrastructures damaged by the Jenji movement has been accelerated. KATHMANDU: Reconstruction of 140 buildings under the Ministry that have suffered minor damages has been completed in a substantial manner. Detailed damage assessment of 249 buildings with yellow stickers i.e. partially damaged and 51 buildings with red stickers is being carried out on the fast track by the consultants of the government bodies. The reconstruction tender is expected to be issued within this month of Poush. The first phase of the The construction of the cricket stadium and the installation of high-mast floodlights have been completed and the stadium has been handed over. The meeting of the Council of Ministers has endorsed the master plan of Kirtipur Cricket Stadium on the proposal of the Ministry of Urban Development.

The government’s presence in this year’s monsoon-induced disaster management was not limited to paper, it was seen in the field. Under the direct direction and active leadership, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology issued a special bulletin on weather and floods and disseminated hazard forecast information in a timely and effective manner. On-site inspections were carried out in high-risk areas of the Kathmandu Valley and preparedness and public awareness were strengthened. This resolute intervention prevented a potentially large loss of life and property and proved the state’s capacity in disaster management.

As many as 40 patient contracts worth around Rs 3 billion have been terminated under the Department of Roads, including the Kankai Bridge in Jhapa district, which has been in limbo for the past 14 years. The process of terminating an additional one hundred and fifty sick contracts has been initiated.

Similarly, 22 sick contracts worth Rs 14.22 billion under the Department of Water Resources and Irrigation, including the Sunkoshi-Marin Multipurpose Project, which has achieved only 11 per cent progress even after 60 per cent of the contract agreement, have been terminated. Similarly, four sick contracts under the Ministry of Urban Development have also been terminated.

These decisions are not limited to termination of contracts. The process for issuing new contracts has already begun with a clear commitment that the damaged projects would not be put in limbo again. Due to policy reforms, construction companies have been mobilized on the site and work has started. The investment modality was prepared with the belief that big hydropower projects like Budhigandaki and Upper Arun could be constructed with domestic investment. It’s not just energy—it’s the basis of a nation’s self-reliance.

Due to political interference, the premium to be collected from the industries that consume electricity using dedicated and trunk lines could not be raised due to political interference in the past as the common people are forced to live in the dark of load-shedding. During this period, that wrong practice has been ended. Due to clear directives and firm decisions, all the industries have started paying the arrears duty, and even the industries that have entered the instalment are paying the installments regularly.

The disruption of waste disposal at Bancharedanda in the capital city was resolved, the obstruction to bring Melamchi water to Kathmandu was removed, the Kodari road was opened and the transit point with northern neighbour China was reopened, and the BP Highway damaged by monsoon was brought into operation on time. These are the most memorable achievements of this period.

The working style was adopted to hold direct talks with the project management, consultants, contractors and local people by visiting the construction site to understand the real problems of the development projects. As a result, projects like Muglin-Nagdhunga, Suryabinayak-Dhulikhel, Daunne section of Narayanghat-Butwal road and Kamala Bridge connecting Dhanusha-Siraha under the Postal Highway, a lifeline of Tarai-Madhesh that have been stalled for the past 14 years, have gained momentum. The reality is that the Kamala Bridge is no longer a dream — it has reached the final stage. These are just a few examples—the results of much of the work done during this period will be evident in the days to come.

I am convinced that people can change, but the right policies, the right thinking and the will of the people will never stop. The dream of safe roads, prosperous infrastructure and a self-reliant nation is not limited to any one person, minister or government.

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all those who believed in me, supported me, encouraged me and cautioned me in this journey.

I am out of office, but I will never go out of favor with the people, the interest of the nation and the truth.

I will be embarking on a strong political journey to make Nepal bright.