KATHMANDU: Lawmaker and General Secretary of Nepali Congress Dr. Shashank Koirala has lambasted the government of falling into the abyss of corruption.
Taking part in the discussion on the government’s policy and program at the House of Representatives today, Koirala came down heavily on the government for institutionalizing corruption in the country.
“The government’s performance record is full of scams,” Dr. Koirala said on Monday’s session at the parliament, “Yeti scam, Lalita Niwas land scam, Security Press Procurement scam, the scam related with the kidnapping of the lawmaker, etc. to name few.”
He remarked that the government has failed to act rationally and identify the priorities deemed essential by the COVID-19 pandemic.
He, meanwhile, appreciated the government’s claim on Limpiyadhura, Lipu Lekh and Kalapani as the only positive thing in the nearly 70-page-long policies and programs of the government but turned skeptic about the government’s possibility of settling it through meaningful and result-oriented dialogue at the higher level.
He recalled how the Sushil Koirala-led government had protested diplomatically against the encroachment.
“Although the government has claimed to have given coronavirus control as its first priority, there is no specific action plan for it,” Dr. Koirala said.
He demanded the government to arrange for the safe and dignified return of Nepali nationals stranded outside the country, and urged the government to act more rationally and sincerely for the low paid or daily wage earners.
Dr. Koirala appreciated the role of local levels and asked the government to facilitate the role of local governments in the distribution of relief materials.
He said his party was supporting the government’s endeavor in its attempt to curb coronavirus. He, however, criticized the government for its failure to procure medical kits and other safety materials necessary to curb the pandemic.
“Although the priority is curbing the COVID-19, arrangements should be made for patients with chronic health problems as the lockdown period is extended quite frequently,” he tried to draw the attention of the government towards the shadowed yet serious issue at the moment.
He also asked the government to extend the span of coronavirus tests to ensure the people are safe.
The General Secretary of Nepali Congress demanded the government to introduce substantive packages so as to enhance the morale of the frontline fighters against the pandemic the health workers, the security forces and the sanitation workers.
Talking about the agriculture sector, he mentioned the need to attract larger investment and arrange for the seeds and fertilizers required to the farmers. He reiterated the need to arrange for the proper transportation of agricultural products.
“The workers have not got the relief, they have walked for weeks to reach their home just to avoid starvation,” Dr. Koirala spoke of the problems of workers and farmers together saying, “On the one hand, the farmers are throwing their products in the street as they don’t have access to market, on the other hand, domestic food products are scarce in the market.”
He urged the government to introduce new programs to make the farmers self-dependent.
According to Dr. Koirala, the government’s plan and policy lack specific programs to engage the youths likely to return due to COVID-19’s global impact. He lashed out the government for introducing no schemes to sustain the small, middle and large industry.
“The government has no schemes for the relief required to prevent the collapse of the hard-hit sector like tourism, industry, media, etc.” Dr. Koirala said, “the plans and policies have shown no concern towards millions of students confined to home due to coronavirus pandemic.”
He requested the government to take the advice seriously and redraft the budget so as to address the prevalent and long term challenges generated by COVID-19 pandemic.
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