MPs express worry over influence of foreign powers

By A Staff Reporter Kathmandu, July 19: Member of the National Assembly Jitendra Narayan Dev has expressed worry that the powerful nations were making Nepal as a playground.

 Participating in the National Assembly meeting on Monday, the NC leader said that the US and China had spoken about the MCC and SPP agreement and such expressions could transform Nepal into a playground.

“Since Nepal is a sovereign country, it is the right of the government of Nepal and the people of Nepal to decide what to take and what to reject,” he said. He drew the attention of the top leaders of the political parties that Nepal should not be made a playground for any powerful nation.

He said that the government and political parties should be able to oppose any interference in Nepal’s internal issues. “If any other country talks about any issue of Nepal, it will be interference in the internal affairs. The government of Nepal and the political parties of Nepal should be able to say this to them,” he said.

Similarly, Khimlal Bhattarai, whip of main opposition CPN-UML, said that the government’s irresponsible behaviour and incompetency have raised serious questions about nationalism, economy and politics. 

He expressed his concern that due to the government’s wrong tax policy, industries related to sanitary pads and ghee were closed. 

He drew the attention of the government to give special facilities to the indigenous industries.

Lawmaker Bina Pokharel said that the practices of the neighbouring countries should be looked while issuing the citizenship certificates.

 Parliamentarian Pramila Kumari said that there was still a problem in the implementation of federalism and drew attention to clarify the list of the common and single rights of the three levels of government. 

Dilkumari Rawal Thapa (Parvati) accused the government of not being accountable to the parliament and ignoring the instructions of the parliament and committees. 

Anita Devkota stressed that the relationship between the three tiers of government should be strengthened to strengthen federalism.