Focus On Far-West
DEVELOPMENT has been given priority all over the years as it is the only way that people's
aspirations can be met. The very division of the country into five development regions was
for a balanced development of all the regions. But, it is sad to note that some regions
have prospered more than the others. In this context, Far-Western Development region is
lagging far behind in the race. This is a matter of concern as the expected outcome of the
development endeavours in the region has not materialised. It is the outcome of the
negligence paid to the region when it came to developing the infrastructure. As a result,
the people have had to suffer and many of them go to India to find work. This is problem
since long. No long term plans have been made, in fact, to see that the people remain home
and make their ends meet. It is a compulsion, despite the fact that the region has
potentials which, if tapped properly, can raise the prosperity level of the people. This
is where there is a need for a greater thrust. Rich in natural resources and
bio-diversity, the Far-Western Development Region can become prosperous if the
mobilisation aspect is paid attention.
Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand, speaking at the
conclusion of a seminar on the "Possibilities and Challenges of Development in the
Far-Weatern Region", said that the region ought to receive more priority in the
development scheme. He also pointed to the fact that the region receives only eight per
cent of the total development budget of the country. This figure is itself sufficient
enough to show that the region is not in the priority list and so it has suffered.
Whatever has been the priority in the plans, the other development regions have benefitted
but not the far-western region. The various measures aimed at poverty alleviation has had
negligible impact on raising the living standard of the people of the region. Hence, it
stands to reason that the necessary plans and programmes must be made for the adequate
development of the region by placing it in the priority list. Only then the concept of
balanced regional development can materialise in the real sense.
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