Mustang : Prime Minister Sushila Karki has visited the Muktinath Temple located in Baragung Muktikshetra-1.

PM Karki, who arrived here on a helicopter of the Nepali Army, performed the ‘water sprinkling ritual’ from the 108 stone spouts on the premises of the Muktinath Temple and also paid homage to the god Muktinath on the occasion.

On the way to visit the temple, she was welcomed by Rinzin Namgel Gurung, the chairperson of Baragung Muktikshetra Rural Municipality and also the vice-chairperson of Muktinath Development Committee, Eknarayan Bhandari, the assistant chief district officer, Dinesh Bhusal, the Committee administrator, and the head of Muktinath Ranipauwa village.

Assistant Chief District Officer Bhandari said that Prime Minister Karki interacted with both local and foreign devotees and tourists while going towards the temple, about 200 metres above from the helipad, along with security personnel and aides.

In that context, Baragung Mukti Kshetra Rural Municipality Chairman Gurung and Muktinath Development Committee Administrator Bhusal informed Prime Minister Karki about the problems faced by devotees at Muktinath Temple.

The Committee Vice-Chairman Gurung informed that although a file regarding the necessary infrastructure construction plan in the temple area has been submitted to the Department of Archaeology, it has yet to be approved by the Department and works on construction of necessary infrastructure could not be carried out due to delays in approval.

“We have submitted files to the Department of Archaeology for eight projects including a changing room, reconstruction of the 108 taps, construction of an annex building, residence block for anis (Buddhist nuns) and visitor-friendly infrastructure in Muktinath Temple.

The work has not progressed due to delays in approval of the plan, and the Prime Minister has been verbally informed of this matter,” he said.

In response, Prime Minister Karki stated that the necessary process will be taken forward after consulting with the Director General of the Department of Archaeology, said Bhusal, the manager of the Muktinath Development Committee.

After spending about an hour at Muktinath, PM Karki headed to the Indrabaks Battalion of the Nepali Army in Jomsom via a Nepal Army helicopter.

PM Karki’s directive for making elections successful
Prime Minister Karki has directed that the House of Representatives elections to be held on March 5 be conducted in a free, fair, fear-free and credible environment.

Chief District Officer Ajita Sharma said that during the election-related discussion and interaction held at the Indrabaks Battalion in Jomsom the Prime Minister directed the authorities to ensure a peaceful environment for the election.

“Work wholeheartedly to make the election successful. You are doing well. Prepare in a way that no problems arise,” CDO Sharma quoted Prime Minister Karki as saying.
Prime Minister Karki was briefed by Chief District Officer Sharma on the overall security situation of the district and the security plans for the elections.

Similarly, the District Chief Election Officer Bidyaraj Paudel provided information to the Prime Minister about the progress and other matters related to the House of Representatives member election so far.