LUMBINI: Chief of Lumbini Province, Krishna Bahadur Ghartimagar, asserted that all stakeholders must shoulder responsibility for the development and prosperity of the province.

Chief Ghartimagar said so in the main ceremony of the 9th Lumbini Province Establishment Day jointly organized by the Lumbini provincial government and Lumbini Province Assembly in Rapti Valley (Deukhuri) in Dang district today.

Noting that the province is sensitive yet promising, the Chief of the Province argued that what the province becomes like in future rests on the shoulders of those who govern it.

He stressed that the province should listen to the voices of all sides and levels and recalled that throughout the history development of the places has been shaped by the decisions and visions of those in power.

On a different note, he suggested that the provincial infrastructures and provincial capital city should be expanded in higher areas rather than fertile farmland.

“The farmlands must be protected. I had offered the same suggestion earlier as well,” he reminded, stating that no one will have to go hungry if we protect rice-growing farmland.

Also, addressing the ceremony, Chief Minister of Lumbini Province, Chet Narayan Acharya stated that as the province completes eight years, significant works have been carried out since its establishment to strengthen federalism.

He claimed that due to implementation of federalism, developments have reached the doorstep of people, and they have been able to feel its impact.

“Provinces have been established due to the federalism. Citizens have been able to experience the works carried out by the province,” he observed.

Hinting at the disbelievers of the importance of federalism and its positive impact, he called on them to look into the details of the provincial expenditures before judging its relevance.

The Chief Minister urged the naysayers not to create and spread misleading narrative surrounding the relevance and impacts of federalism.

He clarified that the province is being established not as a burden but as a basis for development and construction.

In addition, Chief Minister Acharya expressed that the provincial government has formulated and implemented a five-year strategic plan to ensure good governance, transparency, accountability, and the eradication of corruption.

“Currently, the issues of good governance and transparency have been raised more. The provincial government has already worked on creating a legal framework in this area. We have succeeded in efficiently fulfilling the work and responsibilities of the province,” he added.

Province Assembly Speaker Tularam Ghartimagar stated that the Province Assembly and the Provincial Government have been strengthening the side that enacts laws and implements them in a way that is perceptible in areas related to the basic needs of the people.

“Lumbini Province is leading other provinces in law-making and is progressing similarly at the implementation level. Now we are increasing our role in making laws that are connected to the people,” he remarked.

Former Chief Minister Jokh Bahadur Mahara said that good governance is necessary for the development of the province. He mentioned that it is essential to develop infrastructure and human resources to make the province prosperous and self-reliant.

“It is necessary to make plans focusing on agriculture and tourism to make Lumbini a prosperous and self-reliant province. Good governance is needed to advance the work of prosperity, and it is essential for the province to accelerate the pace of work in that direction,” he added.

Purnima Oli of Galamukhi Radhakrishna Tharu Secondary School in Bardiya, who secured first place, Salina Paudel of Mount View English Boarding School, Ghorahi, who secured second place, and Siddhant Adhikari of the same school, who secured third place in the open speech competition organised by the Provincial Assembly were awarded on the occasion.