KATHMANDU: CPN-UML parliamentary deputy leader Padma Kumari Aryal has objected to what she described as anger and verbal abuse directed at victims of the Rasuwa floods when they raised their voices about their concerns.
Speaking during a meeting of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, Aryal accused government mechanisms and social media accounts operated in the name of the prime minister of directing anger and abusive remarks at affected citizens and critics.
She demanded action against those misusing accounts created in the prime minister’s name and called for the immediate closure of unauthorised accounts.
Aryal also alleged that helicopters operated at government expense were being used to transport content creators from organisations such as ‘Hami Nepal’ and that greater attention was being given to producing social media reels than to rescue operations.
She said the state had failed to mobilise technical capacity, expertise and international assistance in time during the devastating floods and landslides of August 26, resulting in significant loss of life.
Aryal called for the immediate formation of a special parliamentary committee to make search, rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts more effective and transparent.
She also proposed establishing an autonomous and empowered ‘Special Reconstruction Authority’ under the Office of the Prime Minister, drawing on the experience of the 2015 earthquake.
Accusing the home minister of declaring individuals guilty himself and making statements as though he were above the law, Aryal said such conduct had mocked democratic values and norms.
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