HoR session: Lawmakers raise pressing issues

Kathmandu: In a meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) today, lawmakers put their views on various contemporary issues.

Airing their views in the zero hour of the session, Bina Lama urged the government to address the concerns of Maryada Palaks or the marshals assigned in parliament. She demanded facilities for nutritious snacks and meals for them.

Similarly, Binita Kumari Singh accused the government of being indifferent towards the implementation of the People’s Housing Programme. Bina Jaiswal raised her concern that “banks and finances make undervaluation of loan securities while proceeding for auctions. She wanted the Nepal Rastra Bank to play an effective role as a regulatory body to remove unnecessary hurdles while pursuing bank loans.

Shanti Shrestha said the government’s policies and programmes for the upcoming fiscal year feature hopeful programmes towards the alleviation of poverty, and it should be incorporated in the budget. She pressed the need to take additional measures to ensure access for all children to schools.

Shiva Nepali said that long-route transportation services, including those promising air conditioning and deluxe facilities, as well as airline companies, are being accused of failing to deliver the level of service they charge passengers for. He wanted the government to address such grievances from the public.

Sher Bahadur Kunwar accused the State of being non-liberal in the treatment of former people’s representatives, citing the case of former parliamentarian Govinda Nath Upreti from Kavrepalanchowk. “He is critically ill,” Kunwar said, urging the government to ensure that the ailing former legislator receives proper medical treatment.

Shobha Gyawali demanded the prompt construction of a bridge over the Babai River in Bardiya while Sarita Gyawali expressed her concern over ‘growing number’ of youths engaging in tobacco use. She called for phasing out the supplies of tobacco products gradually.

Speaker Devraj Ghimire apprised the meeting that the schedule of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli responding to questions by lawmakers as per the Chapter 9 of the House of Regulations- 209 BS has been withdrawn from the agenda of the meeting.

RSS