KATHMANDU: Lawmakers of the CPN (UML) have evaluated the incumbent government as having got historic achievements in the journey to sovereignty, development and prosperity in its three years in power.

Taking a special time at the meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR), UML lawmaker Gokul Prasad Baskota defended the government as having been on track to carry out development activities and realize country’s goals of ‘Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepalis’. “Opportunities and challenges must be considered if we want to pursue development and prosperity. Saint leader Krishna Prasad Bhattarai dreamt of bringing the water in the Melamchi River to Kathmandu, which the government led by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has materialized. A detailed project report of railway service in various areas in the country is being prepared,” he said.

Nepali Congress (NC) parliamentarian Devendra Raj Kandel blamed that the country was stuck in the political quandary for so long time due to the greed of the Prime Minister KP Oli and his stubbornness not to step down from the post. “The government ought to provide an outlet in the wake of the order from the Supreme Court (SC),” he said.

CPN (Maoist Centre) Sashi Shrestha said that the citizenship identity card was an important document to establish the link between the state and the citizen and asked why there had not been any discussions in the parliament on the bill related to citizenship identity card. “To call the parliament is not to run it,” she argued.

Ekwal Miyan of Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) drew the government’s attention to the problem caused by dust pollution in the settlements nearby the Pathalaiya-Birgunj corridor due to dusty road and the urgent need to address this serious problem. He also called on the government to give serious attention to improving the standard of education in the country, especially at the community schools and colleges.

Rajendra Prasad Lingden of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) said the present political confusion in the country has created problem as the major political parties have compounded the confusion rather than giving a way out. This showed serious flaws in the present system, he reiterated.

Prem Suwal of Nepal Workers and Peasants Party (NWPP) called on the attention of the government for protecting the Changu Narayan temple, a world heritage site, from human encroachment.

Dil bahadur Chhteri of CPN (UML) thanked the government for initiating the construction of strategic roads in 165 election constituencies. He added that various works were on for extracting the iron ore and operating steel factory in Nawalpur so as to make the country self-sufficient in steel.

NC’s Dila Sangraula lambasted the government for undermining democracy and going towards authoritarian way. She said the parliament has been rendered business-less.

CPN (Maoist Centre)’s Purna Kumari Subedi drew the attention of the government towards the fire incident at Naraina in Banke district and demanded immediate compensation to the fire survivors.

JSP’s Pramod Yadav suggested government to streamline the government health facilities.

CPN (UML) Padam Giri said that the government had implemented the Melchami Drinking Water Project and had catered to the need of the Kathmandu Valley denizens. The government, he said, was working to ensure development works are materialized in all spheres.

NC’s Uma Regmi recalled the contributions of late Krishna Prasad Bhattarai in envisaging the Melamchi Drinking Water Project and his vision to fulfill the water related demands of the Kathmandu Valley through the project.

Another parliamentarian from the NC Divyaraj Bhandari said that there was concern and curiosity regarding the government’s cavalier attitude for the welfare of the women while there was no any elections for the post of the deputy speaker for quite a long time.