Lawmakers urge govt to address farmers’ demands, public service issues

KATHMANDU: Lawmakers in the House of Representatives (HoR) meeting today raised a range of pressing public concerns and urged the Government of Nepal to take immediate action.

They highlighted the long-standing demands of sugarcane farmers, called for market promotion of Jumla apples and demanded restoration of flood-damaged roads nationwide, including the Mid-Hill Highway.

Several MPs sought time in the session to call for the enforcement of citizens’ constitutional right to basic healthcare services, which they argued remains inadequately implemented.

Among those speaking were Gyan Bahadur Shahi (Rastriya Prajatantra Party), Ramkrishna Yadav and Rama Koirala (Nepali Congress), and Debendra Paudel and Ram Kumar Rai (CPN [Maoist Centre]).

Rama Koirala drew the government’s attention to delays in repatriating the bodies of Nepali nationals who died in Kuwait after consuming adulterated beverages, urging expedited action and justice for the victims.

Dev Prasad Timilsena (Nepali Congress) expressed grave concern over the acute shortage of drinking water in Tarai districts of Bara, Parsa and Rautahat.

Chhiring Lhamu Lama (Tamang) (CPN [Maoist Centre]), representing Karnali, criticised the Lower House for failing to address issues in that region.

Hari Dhakal (Rastriya Swatantra Party) reiterated his party’s demand for a parliamentary committee to investigate the ‘visit visa scam’, warning that ignoring such concerns undermines the parliamentary system.

During ‘zero hour’, MPs Shova Gyawali and Santi Chaudhary called on the government to ensure public transport services operate efficiently ahead of the Dashain, Tihar and Chhath festivals, demanding strict monitoring to prevent overloading and overcharging.

Binita Kumari Singh urged prompt measures to control lumpy skin disease in animals, while Binod Kumar Chaudhary, Sher Bahadur Kunwar, Shyam Kumar Ghimire and Sarita Bhusal pressed for payment of subsidy dues to sugarcane and dairy farmers.

Shakti Bahadur Basnet, Saraswati Bajimaya, Suhang Nembang, Saraj Ahamat Farooqi, Sita Kumari Rana, Sita Mijar, Sushila Sirpali Thakuri, Harka Maya Bishwakarma and Gyanendra Bahadur Karki voiced concerns over access to public services.

Surya Kumari Shrestha and Surya Bahadur Thapa Kshetri thanked Prime Minister Oli for objecting to the proposed China-India trade route through Nepal’s Lipulekh Pass and urged further diplomatic efforts to resolve the dispute.

Finally, during zero hour, Surjaman Tamang Dong, Sanjay Kumar Gautam, Gyanu Basnet Subedi, Hitraj Pandey, Hit Bahadur Tamang, Sushila Thing, Saraswati Subba, Surya Prasad Dhakal, Hasina Khan and Hemraj Rai raised their views on various contemporary issues.

By RSS