Lawmakers call for allowing peaceful demos while seeking rights

Kathmandu, March 26: Lawmaker Ashok Kumar Rai today called attention of the government not to rein in when people organize peaceful demonstration demanding their rights. Seeking time from the Speaker at the outset in the meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) today, Rai drew the attention of the government over the death of Lajehang Limbu (Padam Limboo) who was injured in course of the demonstrations held to protest the decision to name Province no 1 as the Koshi province. Limbu died in course of treatment. He also called for putting to an end circumstances leading to such regrettable incidents, saying it is the fundamental right of the people to peacefully demand their rights.

MP Rai urged the government to refrain from suppressing the peaceful protests. Ramhari Khatiwada complained that the hospitals demanded a certain amount as deposit when treating any person injured in accident and there were many associated difficulties in this. He urged the government to make arrangements so that the treatment can be done easily. Khatiwada also called on the government to make the education and health services free. Arun Kumar Chaudhary demanded with the government for immediately repairing the Karnali Chisapani bridge which remains as the gateway to the Sudur Paschim province as it was in a dilapidated condition with the nuts and bolts becoming loose and dropping due to rusting.

He cautioned that the bridge was in such a condition that an untoward incident is likely anytime. Prabhu Sah said there was a terror-like situation in the name of the 45 per cent commission that is given to anyone leading to the arrest of persons evading tax revenues. He called for checking such practices, saying the provision of 45 percent commission to the person leading to the arrest of a suspect in a case of revenue evasion was being misused. PM and Council of Ministers are the President’s advisors Meanwhile, speaking in the Special Time in the HoR meeting today, Raghuji Panta of the CPN (UML) said it is only the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers which is the President’s advisor.

He said the institution of the President should not be dragged into controversy and the Head-of-State only needed experts not advisors. “The present practices and system should be made stronger. The matters on foreign affairs should be run on the basis of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs alone. The President cannot appoint his foreign advisor which is not provided for by the law,” the former minister said. Dislike towards federalism rising due to own shortcomings: NC leader Koirala Nepali Congress leader Dr Shekhar Koirala has opined that dislike for the federalism was soaring of late due to own shortcomings.

“Now there is no option than the parliament, government and the opposition standing together as per the public’s aspiration without any delay and moving forward towards addressing the citizen’s concerns and grievances,” Dr Koirala said, speaking in the Special Time in the HoR. According to him, the detest towards the federalism and the province structure is increasing day by day due to ‘our own shortcomings’ and this is the first step of the failure of our political system. He said the failure to continue with the series of reforms brought through the political change in 1991 created the present set of problems.

Stating that the democratic political system looked for special values and moral principles, the NC leader said the parties and their leaders’ have not behaved in consonance with the political system no matter how efficient it is. Koirala warned that the political achievements would be in jeopardy if anarchy gets foothold in the country. He however said that although there was a mountain of challenges ahead for the government, there were immense possibilities if the people were taken into confidence and given a sense of faith in the State. He suggested cutting back on unnecessary expenses for building a robust national economy and moving ahead forging political consensus. As he said the economic crisis seen in the country could be addressed and journey towards prosperity charted through the citizen’s faith and parliament’s support.

“The Prime Minister’s willpower alone would not be sufficient for this. The PM should make a pledge that the entire Council of Ministers would not be allowed to deviate morally,” Dr Koirala said adding that socialism would not spring from the foundation of corruption, but from a selfless ideology, actions and vision for building an equitable society. He said, “The confidence of the private sector could be won for making the economy vibrant through common resolve and initiatives. It is necessary to address the unemployment problem by bringing in foreign investment from around the world.”

Stating that the government bodies should stop acts like harassing, exploiting and creating problems for the industry and business sector, he underlined the need for reformative steps as per the need by studying objectively the suggestions given by the FNCCI, CNI, Nepal Chamber of Commerce and others calling for reforms in the Acts, legislations and process for increasing investment and employment. He reiterated that the democratic political system could be revitalized only through economic development and this would be possible to achieve through sustainable improvement visible in the life of every Nepali citizen.