The government has accepted concessional loan of Rs 14.15 billion and grant of Rs 1.19 billion for various development projects.

Addressing a regular press briefing held at the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology on Wednesday, Minister Parbat Gurung informed that the last two meetings of the Council of Ministers had decided to accept the funds from the Asian Development Bank and World Bank for various projects.

Minister Gurung, who is also the government’s spokesperson, informed that a meeting of the Council of Ministers held on November 30 had decided to accept a concessional loan of US $40 million (around NRS 4.77 billion) and grant assistance of US $10 million (about NRS 1.19 billion) for prioritized river basin flood risk management projects.

Similarly, a meeting of the Council of Ministers on December 3 decided to accept concessional loan assistance of US $80 million (about NRS 9.38 billion) from the World Bank to operate rural enterprise and economic development projects.

The meeting held on November 30 had also decided to extend National Reconstruction Authority’s tenure, which will expire on December 25, by one year.

Likewise, the meeting also decided to waive the penalty fee for delay in renewal of drivers’ license as well as passes and route license for public vehicles falling under the jurisdiction of the federal government if their expiry dates fall within mid-December, 2020.

The meeting further decided to give in-principle approval to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development to procure 50,000 metric tonnes of urea manure from the Government of Bangladesh through Government to Government (GTG) process.

The Council of Ministers also decided to give approval to the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport to acquire the land required for the construction of four bridges in Khare Khola, Chiraundi Khola, Gomati Khola and Hugdi Khola along the Nagdhunga-Naubise-Muglin road section.

Minister Gurung added that the Ministry of Communication had made arrangements for people to access services related to application submission, renewal, and online renewal for press representative certificates through all District Post Offices. This new arrangement has made it possible to acquire and renew press representative certificates from anywhere in the country through postal service.

Similarly, an ordinance has been brought to amend the Social Security Act 2075 BS. The ordinance includes an arrangement to provide social security benefits to those who are receiving remuneration, pension, leave or other benefits from foreign governments.

Minister Gurung informed that the amendment will allow disbursement of an annual allowance of Rs 1.80 billion to about 50,000 beneficiaries.