KATHMANDU: Prime Minister (PM) Balendra Shah held a two-hour discussion with lawmakers from engineering backgrounds on Wednesday, focusing on issues raised in Parliament and ideas for the country’s development.
The discussion was held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, with 17 lawmakers in attendance. Mohan Acharya, a Nepali Congress lawmaker from Rasuwa, was the only participant from his party, while the remaining lawmakers were from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP).
According to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, there were no lawmakers from the CPN-UML or the Nepali Communist Party at the meeting.
The lawmakers initially discussed the situation following the recent floods and landslides before Prime Minister Shah addressed the gathering.
During the discussion, Shah spoke about the issues raised by lawmakers in Parliament and categorized their style of expression into three levels: average, below average and extraordinary.
He described the lawmakers with engineering backgrounds as “extraordinary” and encouraged them to focus on ideas, creativity and solutions rather than simply discussing events or making demands.
“Engineering is extraordinary. Average people talk about events. Those below that tell me to do this and do that. Since you are extraordinary, you should raise issues of ideas and creativity. If you do this, the country will be built. Your ideas will build the country,” an MP quoted Shah as saying.
Shah also asked the lawmakers to provide ideas on how Nepal could advance industrialization. He said the concerned ministries, ministers and the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers were listening to the issues raised by lawmakers in Parliament. He also encouraged lawmakers to approach the Prime Minister’s Office directly with ideas, assuring them that those presenting concrete proposals would have access to the office.
Shah also said new bills were being prepared and that lawmakers would have an opportunity to contribute to the legislative process. “Now the MPs will have input in the bills. We will formulate laws based on what we have seen and experienced. We need your support and cooperation in this,” Shah said.
RSP lawmaker Dr Ram Lama confirmed that he had participated in the meeting. He said Shah discussed issues with lawmakers from engineering backgrounds and sought to hear their experiences and ideas.
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