KATHMANDU: Home Minister Sudan Gurung has said that all concerned agencies have been instructed to remain on high alert and prepared for disaster management as the monsoon season approaches.
Speaking at a meeting of the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee under the House of Representatives at Singha Durbar on Thursday, Gurung said necessary directives had already been issued to ensure effective management of people affected by natural disasters.
The minister said he would personally conduct field inspections to assess preparedness efforts and monitor ongoing disaster management arrangements.
He also stressed the need for legal reforms to simplify procurement procedures, noting that lengthy processes often delay the delivery of rescue and relief materials during emergencies.
Gurung complained that despite the ministry receiving an additional Rs 20 billion beyond the initial budget ceiling this fiscal year, budget constraints continue to affect the effective functioning of government agencies.
On drug control efforts, the Home Minister said traditional approaches alone are no longer sufficient to tackle the growing narcotics problem. He said the government is preparing more effective strategies and emphasized the need for joint operations with neighboring countries to curb cross-border drug trafficking.
During the meeting, Inspector General of Police Dan Bahadur Karki said drug trafficking activities are currently most prevalent in Koshi and Madhesh provinces.
Karki said police have intensified enforcement measures against drug-related crimes and are maintaining close surveillance as traffickers increasingly use cargo and courier services to transport narcotics.
He added that public awareness campaigns remain equally important, arguing that long-term control of drug abuse cannot be achieved through law enforcement alone.
Committee members urged authorities to strengthen anti-drug efforts and improve coordination among local and district-level agencies.
Committee member Nishkal Rai said local institutions had not been sufficiently effective in controlling drug trafficking and called for stricter monitoring of medical businesses, alleging that some operators were involved in illegal drug sales.
Similarly, committee member Padma Aryal stressed that awareness and prevention programs were essential alongside enforcement measures.
Lawmakers also raised concerns about disaster preparedness and the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen response mechanisms ahead of the monsoon season.
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