Gagan Thapa Accuses Prime Minister Balen Shah of Being Negative Towards Private Sector

Kathmandu. Nepali Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa has accused Prime Minister Balendra Shah of not being positive towards the private sector. Speaking at a program organized in Kathmandu on Friday, he made such a comment. Thapa said that the government's attitude towards the private sector does not seem positive with Prime Minister Shah's recent statements and decisions. He pointed out that the Prime Minister has not been able to focus on setting a clear economic policy and priorities on where to take the country's economy. He stated that the operation of government industries such as Dairy Development Corporation, Hetauda Garment Factory, and Nepal Drug Limited should be viewed in conjunction with the state's overall economic policy. He emphasized that the government should advance a policy of expanding the role of the private sector in the economy rather than operating industries itself. Recalling that the then Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala chose the path of an open, liberal, and market-oriented economy after 2046 BS, Thapa said that the Prime Minister's choice determines the country's destination. He claimed that if the then government had not trusted the private sector and the market, the foundation for economic development could not have been laid. Thapa said that the Prime Minister decides which path the country will take. "The current Prime Minister does not like to see the private sector," he said, "This is not just my understanding, he hates the private sector." He clarified that he was not saying this based on assumptions alone. "His recent statements and decisions are like this," Thapa added, "I also said this at the party's central committee meeting for a long time the other day." Commenting on government industries, he said that although these things may seem trivial, those who run the state must understand the state of the economy. "I wish that the Dairy Development Corporation, Hetauda Factory, and Nepal Drug Limited would run and make profits," he said, "But the person running the state must look at what the economy is like today." He especially emphasized that the government should create an environment for investment for the private sector.