HoR session: Issues ranging from corruption scams to GBV raised

Kathmandu, Sept 4: In a meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) today, lawmakers drew the government’s attention towards various contemporary issues including the need to conclude the cases of corruption impartially. Airing views in a special session of the lower house today, Arjun Narsingh KC of Nepali Congress expressed his concern over the transfer of police officials, ‘affecting’ the investigations to corruption scams. He also took time to say that a report of a high-level commission about the gold scam be presented to the parliament instead of the government.

Bidhya Bhattarai of CPN (UML) accused the government of becoming a mere spectator to the uncontrolled price rise of daily commodities. She also drew the government’s attention towards rising cases of suicides and the gender-based violence (GBV). She recommended the government include chapters on mental health in school curricula implement them with priorities. Madhav Sapkota urged the government to accord priority to further systematization of Tatopani checkpoint in Sindhupalchowk point and to reclaim the public land at Liping Bazaar near Tatopani encroached upon by individuals.

Hari Dhakal demanded regular remuneration for cricketers and State’s priority to develop sports infrastructure while Rajendra Prasad Lingden insisted on decent treatment to Nepali setting out for and returning from foreign employment within airports. Sarbendranath Shukla warned that the government about potential rice shortage in the country, adding that the government might need to spend Rs 50 billion this year to import rice. He advised the government to seek an alternative market for rice imports when the neighboring India restricts the rice exports.

Prem Suwal urged the government to promptly revoke the decision to increase the prices of petroleum products while Prabhu Shah and Amresh Kumar Singh questioned over a ‘jumbo’ team the Prime Minister will be leading to United Nations General Assembly. Sushila Thing expressed her concerns over what she argued mistreatment meted out to Ishwari Devi Neupaune by her colleagues from the major opposition just for her opinions in the previous house session.

Yubaraj Rai sought the enforcement of the Copyright Act while Sanjay Kumar Gautam said it was ridiculous that Nepal as an agricultural nation was largely relied on food imports. He emphasized the need to fully utilise the agricultural, cultural and touristic potentialities of the nation. “Nepal’s religious sites be further promoted and mountain tourism be prioritised.” Surya Kumari Shrestha urged the government to bring the Federal Education Bill soon while Pratiksha Tiwari sought and end to drinking water crisis in the Janakpur area.