Finance Minister Optimistic about 6% Economic Growth; Bhrikutimandap Library Society AGM Inaugurated

Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat expressed confidence in achieving a 6% economic growth rate, citing the gradual return of the country's economy to its normal state. Speaking at the 20th annual general meeting of the Kathmandu Valley Public Library Society at Bhrikutimandap, Minister Mahat highlighted positive indicators such as increasing tourist arrivals, remittances, share prices, revenue, and overall economic activities.

Minister Mahat emphasized that budget anomalies have been addressed by implementing a budget allocation system based on guaranteed resources in multi-year projects. He also noted a decrease in bank interest rates, signaling a positive trend. The Finance Minister credited an improvement in the budget system for curbing the trend of exceeding budget allocations outlined in the budget Red Book.

Society President Dr Narayan Khadka underscored the importance of prioritizing libraries as centers of knowledge, information, and national history. However, he raised concerns about reduced government funding, lack of a dedicated land plot for the library building, and increased rent imposed by the Social Welfare Council.

On this occasion, Mahesh Agrawal and Tirtha Raj Onta were felicitated by the Society. The library, registered in 2003, attracts over 30,000 visitors annually, with 2,400 annual members. The Society has been running the library since 2005, acquiring 37,614 donated books and purchasing 4,351 books.

In a collaborative gesture, Chief of Balmeeki Vidyapeeth, Prof Dr Bhagawat Dhakal, proposed allocating land to jointly construct the library building, addressing budget constraints faced by the Vidyapeeth.