January 15: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has directed the concerned authorities to release the payment for the dues that the government owes to the contractors.

During a discussion with the construction entrepreneurs at his office on Sunday, PM Dahal instructed the finance minister to immediately start the process of payment of the dues to the construction entrepreneurs.

Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat, Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Prakash Jwala, Chief Secretary Dr Bikuntha Aryal, Finance Secretary Dr Krishna Hari Puskar, Secretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Keshav Kumar Sharma and Director General at the Department of Roads, Sushil Babu Dhakal were also present during the discussion.    
On the occasion, the prime minister directed the finance minister to promptly release Rs 1.71 billion, the outstanding amount from last year, and Rs 6.30 billion in due so far in the current fiscal year, the PM's Private Secretariat stated.    
Stakeholders expect development works to pick up pace and the economy to become vibrant once this amount is paid to the contractors. -- RSS