First decision of Deuba-led government to vaccinate all citizens by mid-April

The newly appointed government has decided to vaccinate all eligible citizens by mid-April next year.  One-third of them will be vaccinated by mid-October this year. Likewise, all the COVID-19 vaccines will be provided free of cost.

This was the first decision taken by the Council of Ministers meeting held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers this evening. The cabinet met following the oath of office and secrecy by newly elected Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and four members of his cabinet.

The cabinet meeting today also decided to make public all the expenditure made by the previous government in prevention, control, and treatment of COVID-19 said government spokesperson and Minister for Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Gyanendra Bahadur Karki.

Another decision was to release the due hazard allowance that the frontline workers, including health workers, security persons, and sanitation workers are yet to receive.

The cabinet designated Law Minister Karki as the Spokesperson of the Government.

Government sets its priorities

The new government has set various priorities for itself, starting with maintaining law and order followed by COVID-19 prevention, control and treatment, economic prosperity, and speedy economic revival. The cabinet has also determined expediting development works and ensuring effective delivery of public services as its major duties.

Protecting the Constitution, consolidating the federal democratic republic, disaster management, as well as holding local elections shall be other major priorities of the new government.

Special advisor to be appointed

The Government is to appoint a special advisor to take ahead the COVID-19 prevention, control, and treatment measures effectively.

Government Spokesperson Karki said that decision has been made to make public the entire government expenses on COVID-19 prevention, control, and treatment. Similarly, a special package would be unveiled within a week for the recovery of the economy hit by COVID-19.   

Furthermore, the remaining tasks of the peace process would be completed.

As decided by the cabinet meeting, a broader plan of action would be prepared for the management of required skilled human resources through its projection needed for the entire economic development.

Development works would be expedited and the government would not let undergo the financial crunch and relations and cooperation with the neighboring countries and development partners would be further deepened.

Minister Karki said that decision has been made to resend all the proposals remaining in the council of ministers and different committees of the cabinet in the respective ministries in the changed context.

Prior to this, newly-appointed PM Deuba assumed his office at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers after taking the oath of office from the President.

On the occasion, Chief Secretary Shankar Das Bairagi, Secretary at the PMO Baikuntha Aryal, Krishna Hari Puskar, and others welcomed the newly-appointed PM.