Kathmandu, Jan 6: The government has decided to establish a customs office at the Pokhara Regional International Airport (PRIA). Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel said that a cabinet meeting held at Singha Durbar on Thursday decided to give pre-approval for the organization and management survey (O&M) to manage the manpower required for the full use of the airport.

Stating that the responsibility of the government to manage the project effectively and to create a situation where the country can benefit from it is on its shoulders, he said that it has been decided to establish a customs office as one of the important tasks for the use of the airport in full capacity.

PRIA is a project of national pride. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal inaugurated the airport on January 1. The airport was built with loan assistance from China. Deputy Prime Minister Paudel, who is also the spokesperson for the government, said at a press conference held today at the Ministry of Finance to publicize the decision of the Council of Ministers that despite the Coronavirus pandemic, PRIA was built on time.

Meanwhile, the cabinet meeting has decided to fix the election date for the vacant posts of members of the National Assembly on February 8. With the resignation of National Assembly member Khim Lal Bhattarai, the post of National Assembly member for Lumbini region is vacant. He was elected to the National Assembly from Lumbini.

Paudel said that the government has informed the Election Commission about the date of the by-election of the National Assembly. The cabinet meeting also decided to provide financial assistance of Rs 1 million to different people.