Arguing that the Dhading district lags behind in development indexes even than Karnali region, Vice-Chairman of National Planning Commission (NPC) Dr Pushpa Kandel urged the people’s representatives to focus on development priorities.

At a programme organised Saturday on the occasion of 7th Dhading Mahotsab, Dr Kandel said the per capita income of Karnali people is 637 US Dollar while it is 607 US Dollar in Dhading.

The people below poverty line is 18 percent in the country whereas it is 28 percent in Dhading.

Saying that the federal government is working in some projects including linking ruby valley area with road connectivity, tourism promotion of ruby valley, development of Budhi Gandaki Hydropower Project of 1200 megawatt and development of alternative highway parallel to Prithvi Highway for the development of Dhading district, Dr Kandel also pledged his support to materialise those.

He also urged the local governments to continuously struggle for development, while adding some new development projects including Dhadingbensi-Syaphrubensi road-section, Ganga Jamuna tourism development, Bhairabhi Temple religious tourism state development, development of industrial estate in each local levels would be started from the coming fiscal year.