Lawmakers highlight critical issues in parliament
KATHMANDU: In Thursday’s session of the House of Representatives, various members of parliament (MPs) raised critical issues affecting the country, calling for government attention to address incidents of caste discrimination, fire hazards, flood and landslide risks, rising construction material costs, and the management of agricultural fertilizers.
Unjustified Rise in Prices of Construction Materials
MP Bina Lama highlighted the abnormal increase in the price of iron rods over the past two weeks, stressing that this issue had negatively impacted the construction sector, particularly during the peak construction season. She called on the Speaker to direct the government to investigate and take action against those responsible for the price hike. Lama also demanded the government intervene to control the rising costs of cement.
Youth Migration and Employment Policies
MP Gyanendra Bahadur Karki expressed concern over the continuous migration of thousands of young Nepalis abroad every year in search of employment, despite the country’s youth being seen as its bright future. He urged the government to implement effective policies to curb youth migration and create more employment opportunities within Nepal.
Traffic Congestion and Road Infrastructure Issues
MP Santosh Chalise raised the issue of severe traffic jams in Kathmandu, which have been causing immense suffering to citizens. He urged the government to resolve these problems, particularly the closure of a crucial track from Guheshwari to Tilganga due to an unfinished wall by Nepal Trust. Chalise called for swift solutions to these issues.
Delayed Housing Assistance in Siraha
MP Vinita Kumari Singh brought attention to the delayed disbursement of housing assistance under the public housing program. She informed the House that, despite a contract for the construction of 488 houses in Siraha for the fiscal year 2079/80, only the first installment had been provided. She demanded immediate release of the remaining funds to prevent affected families from living under open skies.
Caste Discrimination Incident in Siraha
MP Shaktibahadur Basnet condemned the caste discrimination incident that took place in Aurahi Rural Municipality, Siraha. He demanded an investigation and action against the culprits, as well as compensation for the affected families. MPs like Shanti Bik and Santosh Pariyar also spoke out against the incident, urging the government to implement constitutional provisions to combat caste discrimination and protect human rights.
Fire Hazards and Relief Efforts
MP Sudhan Kirati highlighted the fire hazards in various parts of the country as the summer season begins. In particular, he mentioned a fire in Bhojpur that destroyed 19 houses. He called for effective measures to control fires and provide relief to the affected families. Similarly, MP Surendra Raj Acharya addressed the ongoing issues of wildfires and their devastating effects on settlements, wildlife, and forests, urging the government to enhance fire prevention and response efforts.
Floods and Disaster Management
MP Sarita Bhusal raised concerns over the recurring floods and inundation in areas near the Indian border in Western Nawalparasi. She called for long-term flood control measures to ensure the safety of citizens. MP Surya Prasad Dhakal also raised concerns about flood control in the Raptī and Sunahari areas, urging for proper embankments before the monsoon season begins.
Infrastructure Issues in Eastern Regions
MP Suhang Nembwang called for the development of adequate educational infrastructure in areas like Ilam, where schools suffer from a lack of classrooms, libraries, and modern technology. He stressed that these deficiencies were severely impacting students’ learning experiences.
Demand for the Restoration of Post-Disaster Infrastructure
MP Sohita Gautam raised the issue of houses at risk due to landslides in Kageshwari Manohara Municipality, urging the relevant authorities to prioritize the repair and protection of these homes.
Public Health Services and Employment in Kapilvastu
MP Saharaj Ahmad Faruqi highlighted the lack of medical professionals and services at the historic Shivraj Hospital in Kapilvastu. He called for better management of human resources to improve the healthcare services in the region.
Judiciary and Human Rights Issues
MP Hitbahadur Tamang demanded a thorough investigation into the tragic plane crash incident that took place at Tribhuvan International Airport on Saurya Airlines, which killed 18 people, including three of his relatives. He emphasized the need for justice and compensation for the victims’ families.
Electricity Access in Karnali
MP Hridayaram Thani raised concerns about the lack of electricity access in Karnali Province, where 57% of households still do not have electricity. He called on the government to address this issue and ensure electricity supply to all areas of the province.
Deteriorating Infrastructure in Rural Areas
MP Hemraj Rai expressed his dissatisfaction with the delayed construction of essential roads and infrastructure in Bhojpur. He called on the government to expedite the completion of road projects in the region to alleviate the suffering of the local population.
Water and Irrigation Problems in Rural Nepal
MP Surya Bahadur Kshetri highlighted the inadequate irrigation facilities in rural Nepal, particularly in Puthan, and urged the government to focus on constructing safe housing for flood-affected populations and invest in long-term flood control measures.
Ongoing Discrimination and Inequality
MP Santi Choudhary also condemned the caste-based discrimination continuing in parts of the country, stressing that it was heartbreaking to witness such issues still persist into the 21st century, even in the capital city.
Conclusion
The session ended with MPs unanimously urging the government to address these critical issues that continue to affect the lives of Nepalese citizens. From caste discrimination and unemployment to rising prices and natural disasters, the lawmakers made it clear that urgent attention and action from the government were necessary to improve the conditions of the nation.
