Kathmandu. The state government has expressed concern over the 10 per cent increase in poverty in the Sudurpaschim state. The provincial government, which is in the final phase of finalizing the second five-year plan, has said that poverty has increased in the current fiscal year as compared to the fiscal year 2077/78 BS.

The Province Policy and Planning Commission (NPC) is currently holding discussions on the draft of the second five-year plan by visiting various local levels in the Far-West region. When the first five-year plan was formulated in the fiscal year 2077÷78, the poverty level in the Far-West was 24.6 percent, which increased to 34.6 percent. Expert member of the second five-year plan, Dr Hemraj Lamichhane, said that the second five-year plan has reached 16. Achham has the highest poverty rate at 49.58 percent.

According to him, the second plan has emphasized on job creation and skill development, access to quality education and health, strengthening of agriculture and rural economy, social security and targeted programs and good governance and effective implementation.

“This plan has been prepared with a self-reliant, prosperous, beautiful far-western long-term vision. The objective of the second five-year plan is to eradicate poverty, create employment and improve income level by increasing production and productivity,” said Lamichhane, an expert member of the committee.

The province government has incorporated climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, making public service delivery transparent, accountable and citizen-friendly, disaster risk reduction and technology-friendly development in the plan. Priority has been given to the plan to improve the income level of the local people through the development of agriculture, livestock, small industries and tourism.