HoR zero hour: MPs raise concerns over landless squatters, disaster management

KATHMANDU: During the zero hour of the House of Representatives session on Sunday, lawmakers raised issues such as landless squatters, disaster management, agriculture, and road infrastructure, drawing the government’s attention through the Speaker.

Participating in the zero hour, lawmakers suggested that the budget for the upcoming fiscal year should address the ongoing problems effectively.

MP Achyut Prasad Mainali highlighted that there are still millions of landless squatters in the country and urged the government to address their issues through the Speaker.

MP Anjani Shrestha demanded the government make medical education affordable and well-organized.

MP Anisha Nepali emphasized the need to allocate the budget for the next fiscal year, focusing on urban development, energy, and drinking water, which are directly linked to the public’s concerns.

MP Abdul Khan called on the government, through the Speaker, to simplify the labor permits and passport distribution process for workers going abroad.

MP Amar Bahadur Rayamajhi urged the government to allocate a budget for the repair and expansion of dilapidated roads in various parts of Udayapur.

MP Dr. Amaresh Kumar Singh drew the government’s attention through the Speaker to expedite the construction of the Hulaki Bridge over the Bagmati River, which has remained incomplete for 15 years.

MP Arjun Narsingh KC stated that fighting terrorism is everyone’s responsibility for the peace and stability of the South Asian region.

MP Ashma Kumari Chaudhary welcomed the government’s policies and programs focusing on entrepreneurship, employment generation, and the commercialization of agriculture. She urged the government to allocate a budget for modernizing subsistence farming, making the country self-sufficient in agricultural production, and ensuring farmers’ access to markets.

MP Asim Shah urged the government to improve policy measures and infrastructure to promote and encourage electric vehicles, helping the country earn foreign currency.

MP Urmila Majhi highlighted that poverty, illiteracy, and unemployment are common enemies of all and demanded the government enhance access to education, health, and employment for all Nepalis.

MP Rishikesh Pokharel requested the government, through the Speaker, to allocate a budget for embankment construction for eight rivers flowing north-south in Morang, which were heavily damaged by last year’s floods, ahead of the monsoon season.

MP Eknath Dhakal called for improvements in the management of Tribhuvan International Airport, including more effective immigration services, and making it more passenger-friendly, safe, and clean.

MP Kalu Ram Rai informed the Parliament that a new species of turtle was discovered in the rivers of the Chure Hills between Jhapa and Ilam and urged the government to prioritize its conservation under the National Chure Conservation Project.

MP Kiran Kumar Sah emphasized that climate change impacts and weak infrastructure have led to natural disasters, stressing that disaster risk reduction should be integrated as a fundamental strategy for development.

MP Kusum Devi Thapa demanded the government allocate a budget to expand the paddy produced in Rajapur, Bardiya, to various parts of Karnali and boost agricultural production.

MP Ganesh Parajuli expressed concerns that credit-based transactions by small and medium entrepreneurs could lead to various societal problems and demanded legislation for the recovery of dues.

MP Ganga Karki urged the relevant ministry, through the Speaker, to advance the registration and renewal of organizations in accordance with the Supreme Court’s order.

MP Chanda Karki (Bhandari) called on the government to effectively implement health policies.

MP Chandra Bahadur Bishwakarma pointed out that the Karnali and Bheri corridors, which connect the borders of India and China, have yet to be expanded and urged the government to make appropriate arrangements in the upcoming budget.

MP Chitra Bahadur KC raised concerns over the excessive extraction of sand in the Kaligandaki River of Baglung and demanded that the government stop the illegal mining of sand and gravel.

MP Jwala Kumari Shah urged the government, through the Speaker, to ensure justice and good governance in the country.