RAMECHHAP: In what may be called as a breach of the health protocol to compulsorily wear masks, avoid gatherings and maintain at least six feet physical distance, Minister of Economic Affairs and Planning of Bagmati State Kailash Prasad Dhungel participated in an inauguration program in Ramechhap.

Interestingly, he along with other people around him were seen without masks, and they were least bothered in maintaining physical distancing at a time when the entire country is gripped by coronavirus pandemic.

Besides Minister Dhungel, Chairperson of Khanda Devi Rural Municipality Prem Bahadur Tamang, Chairperson of Doramba Rural Municipality Kaman Singh Moktan, and Sunapati Rural Municipality Chairperson Dawa Lama attended the program organized to stall a statue of Buddha in Khandadevi Rural Municipality on Saturday.

Even more, more than 150 Taekwondo players had gathered in the site to welcome Minister Dhungel something which is a breach of the protocol and government’s instruction to refrain from making a gathering of more than 25 people.

Likewise, he also laid the foundation stone of the National Taekwondo ITF Academy. The Bagmati State government has allocated Rs 1 crore 10 lakh to construct a covered hall there.

A local, who insisted anonymity, queried, “When a responsible individual like a minister fails to follow the health protocol, what message will the general public get from him?”