THE sixth session of Federal Parliament has kicked off on Friday as the country is in the midst of battle against the COVID-19 pandemic that has triggered global health crisis of unprecedented scale. Also known as the budget session, the meetings of the House of Representatives and National Assembly are expected to focus on the ongoing measures adopted to prevent the transmission of novel coronavirus and the government’s policy and programme, and the fiscal year’s budget to be presented at the end of May. On the first day of the session, the ruling and opposition parties’ leaders held their common viewpoint on how to save the life of people and deal with the economic woes arising from the extended lockdown that has disrupted all economic and social activities.
Main opposition leader Sher Bahadur Deuba said that the Nepali Congress is with the government in the fight against the coronavirus. He has rightly said that the opposition and the government should work jointly during the crisis but he also emphasised the opposition’s duty to alert and criticise the government over its controversial decisions and moves. Deuba called for unveiling the economic packages for those hit hard by the lockdown. The ongoing health emergency calls for unity not only between the opposition and the government but also among all stakeholders - political parties, government, civil society, media and public for it is the moment for all to show solidarity and extend support to those bearing the brunt of the unexpected situation.
The low-wage earners, unemployed, students, farmers, tenants and working journalists are in big trouble. Likewise, industries, tourism and service sectors have nosedived. As a result, thousands of people have lost their jobs and sources of income. According to one estimate, the country is set to lose from Rs. 200 to Rs. 500 billion owing the pandemic this year. The looming economic recession will have perilous implications for the life of ordinary people who are on the margins of the society. Moreover, thousands of Nepalis have been stranded at the borderland and abroad. They were forced to go to foreign lands in search of better livelihood opportunity. They want to return home during this crisis. The government must not let them down and make necessary arrangements for their return. The role of state becomes more important when its citizens face threat to their life and security. The government should assume bigger responsibility to rescue the citizens from the inimical forces beyond their control.
Now the government has diverted all its attention to protect the people from the deadly virus. It has relaxed the lockdown in some areas in view of the pains and sufferings of the people. At the moment, the government should increase the testing of people suspected of the virus infection, purchase and supply of essential medical goods such as testing kits and protective gears, and effectively apply the selective lockdown measures in light of the growing number of virus cases. The parliament is the supreme people’s body that must work for the broader benefit of the people. Lawmakers should not waste their valuable time in the blame game and unnecessary criticisms of government. Instead, they should come together to draw up a common strategy to lessen the negative impacts of the pandemic by offering practical insights to be incorporated in the upcoming government’s policy and programme.