Kathmandu: National Assembly (NA) members have drawn the attention of the government on several contemporary issues, including the longstanding drought in Tarai. During the NA meeting today, lawmaker Sabitri Malla urged the government to implement necessary measures to provide relief to farmers in the drought-affected districts. She emphasized that simply declaring the eight districts as drought-hit areas is insufficient, especially when water sources have dried up even during the rainy season.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Ghanshyam Rokaya called on ministers to disclose their property details, while Krishna Bahadur Rokaya requested the government to resume operations at Chaujahari Airport in Rukum Paschim, which has been closed for six years. Additionally, Padam Bahadur Pariyar highlighted the plight of Sangita Thapa, a Nepali migrant worker in Kuwait, demanding her rescue due to the mental and physical abuse she is reportedly experiencing from her employers.
Rukmini Koirala raised concerns about the encroachment of approximately 35,000 bigha of land during the construction of the Koshi embankment and bridge. She stated that the Indian side has yet to compensate the affected locals, despite prior commitments. Similarly, Shree Krishna Adhikari called for an immediate investigation into the sudden removal of the ‘cooling-off period’ provision in the Civil Service Bill.
In legislative proceedings, the NA has forwarded the ‘Tourism Bill, 2081’ to the Legislation Management Committee for clause-wise discussions. The proposal, presented by Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Badri Prasad Pandey, was passed unanimously. Earlier, NA Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal notified the assembly about a letter from the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers regarding the portfolio division of the Council of Ministers members. The NA is scheduled to reconvene on July 30.