UML obstructs House meet again

BY A STAFF REPORTER,Kathmandu, July 27: The main opposition party, the CPN-UML, on Wednesday interrupted the meeting of the House of Representatives demanding the formation of a high-level investigation committee on the gold smuggling case.

After the UML lawmakers obstructed the meeting, Speaker Devraj Ghimire postponed the House meeting till 1:00 pm, July 31. 

Earlier, speaking in the House meeting, lawmakers of different political parties demanded that the government should arrest and punish the real culprits of the gold smuggling case, not the mules only.

Sunil Sharma of the ruling Nepali Congress even demanded the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha and Finance Minister Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat on the moral ground over the gold smuggling case. 

Devendra Paudel of the CPN (Maoist Centre), Rabi Lamichhane of Rastriya Swatantra Party, Rajendra Lingden of Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Ramhari Khatiwada of the Nepali Congress and other lawmakers demanded stern actions against the main individuals behind the gold smuggling case. 

After the Department of Revenue confiscated around 100 kilograms of gold passed through the customs of the Tribhuvan International Airport on July 18, arresting taxi drivers and a few individuals, it was revealed that gold smuggling through the TIA was going on unabated. 

Before the meeting of the parliament began today, a parliamentary party meeting of the CPN-UML decided to seek answers from Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Shrestha in the parliamentary concerning the smuggling of gold. 

The meeting decided to call for an investigation into the gold smuggling case and seek clarification from DPM Shrestha, said UML leader Raghuji Panta. 

Talking to journalists after the meeting, Panta said the company involved in the illegal import of 100 kg of gold had been seen engaging in such activities several times in the past. 

The meeting emphasised the need for a thorough investigation into the matters as well, he added. 

The UML would proceed with additional actions depending on the response from DPM Shrestha, Panta added.