Kathmandu: Lawmakers have called upon the government to safeguard citizens’ lives and properties from potential natural disasters, as persistent rainfall continues to impact various regions across the country. In an emergency session of the House of Representatives, they emphasized the urgency of reopening highways blocked by floods and landslides and suggested the establishment of alternative routes.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Sher Bahadur Kunwar of the CPN (Unified Socialist) highlighted the need for government intervention in disaster-prone areas, especially as the monsoon system remains active in the Tarai and West Nepal. Thakur Prasad Gaire of the CPN (UML) urged the government to ensure safe travel nationwide by addressing the rain-induced disruptions to highways.
Narayani Sharma of the CPN (Maoist Centre) pointed out the increasing cases of snakebites in Tarai-Madhes and demanded local-level treatment facilities. Prabhu Sah of the Aam Janata Party called for adequate relief for farmers in drought-stricken Tarai-Madhes. Additionally, Chandra Kant Bhandari of the Nepali Congress stressed the importance of improving Nepal’s education system to reduce the necessity for citizens to seek education and employment abroad.
Independent lawmaker Dr. Amaresh Kumar Singh advocated for strict measures against those harassing staff at former Minister Jaya Prakash Gupta’s residence. Meanwhile, opposition parties, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), boycotted the meeting, protesting the government’s delay in forming a high-level probe commission to investigate the VISIT VISA scandal. RSP lawmaker Biraj Bhakta Shrestha and RPP’s Deepak Bahadur Singh expressed their parties’ intentions to continue their protests and boycott meeting allowances until their demands are fulfilled.
The session also addressed other pressing issues. Chief Whip of the CPN (UML) Mahesh Kumar Bartauta raised concerns about the Kerung border crossing, urging attention to the import challenges from China due to the blocked Rasuwa transit point, especially with the festival season approaching.
MP Meena Tamang called for a ban on polluting industries in Paanchkhal Municipality-8 and 9, highlighting the risk to the historic Shwabaneshwor Mahadev Temple and surrounding settlements. MP Maina Karki emphasized the need for economic empowerment of single women, criticizing the societal view as traditional and conservative.
Other MPs, including Mangal Prasad Gupta, Rana Kumari Balampaki Magar, and several others, brought various contemporary issues to the government’s attention, seeking prompt action and solutions.