KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress (NC) central member and parliamentarian Javeda Khatun Jaga asserted that it was the duty and responsibility of the parliamentarians to fulfill the promises and commitments made with voters during the election.
Parliamentarian Khatun opined that it should not be taken otherwise that the parliamentarians elected to deliver on the commitments of development and public services made to people during election are found in ministries.
Stating that although she could not deliver much on development works, she proudly shared that her voters were all appreciations for her efforts for the developmental endeavors in the areas of roads and play grounds.
Furthermore, she cited how the voters were taking stock of the progress made in terms of formulation of laws.
The lawmaker representing the marginalized Muslim community viewed that factors such as delay in formation of thematic committees, disruption of the House (parliament) and the parties’ numerical strength in parliament had posed a mounting challenge in formulation of law.
According to her, criticism was pouring in for not devising enough of rules as expected by the end of the winter and monsoon session of the parliament.
Khatun maintained that all the political parties should make formulation of law a common agenda.
She observed, “Partisan interest and political self-interest, denial of each other’s presence and existence, interference and changing of the government too often and having vested interest on the bills posed challenges in expediting the formulation of law.”
Lawmaker Khatun commented that it was not appropriate for the lawmakers to object the ruling for cheap publicity, indulging in blame game and trading accusations and putting off the clothes in the House’s meeting.
She asserted that the parliamentarians ought to present themselves in the House in a dignified manner, deliver thoughtful statements and be a leader to take pride in one’s party.
According to her, the parliamentarians being the people’s representatives should keep up with the hope and trust of the people on them.
Khatun said that apart from developmental endeavors, inundations, soil erosion in river bank and increasing human and wildlife conflict in Bardiya district were the major challenges.
“Development and construction works can wait, but the people should be able to survive first. That is the burning problem. Flooding is also a major problem. We need a bridge,” she said.
Stating that costly election has also created a challenge in maintaining good governance and corruption control, lawmaker Kahatun said the tendency to make up for the election expenses through unethical means has also contributed to the rising corruption in the country.
She said her personal view is that the election would be more cost-effective from the point of election expenses if the proportional election system was adopted instead of the present mixed election system, suggesting to the top leaders of the political parties to think over this matter seriously.
According to her, the election is so expensive that a leader who is not economically well-off is not in a position to compete in the election let alone win the election, no matter how principled he/she might be.
Noting that the State should ramp up investment in the education sector and for promotion of industries, the lawmaker from Bardiya stressed on the need of vigorously promoting employment-oriented quality education in the country.
She also underscored on creating maximum jobs within the country to stop the exodus of youths to foreign employment.
Also the member of the House of Representatives, Women, Children and Social Welfare Committee, Khatun expressed the belief that the Bardiya has been established as a model district in terms of goodwill and harmony among the various communities.
“There is religious, social, linguistic and cultural amity and harmony among all communities in Bardiya. We have maintained cordial and harmonious relations among all communities with each community respecting the religion, culture and festivals of the other, and participating in each other’s festivals and exchanging greetings,” she added.
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