House Impasse Resolved

The House of Representatives (HoR) session has resumed from Wednesday, ending a month-long obstruction, after the ruling political parties and the main opposition CPN-UML reached agreement on forming a parliamentary commission to probe the 60-kg gold smuggling scam. The UML had resorted to disrupting the House proceedings, demanding an inquiry commission. The government, however, had not been in favour of constituting such a panel, arguing that it could hamper the investigation being carried out by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police. Such an amount of the precious yellow metal had been smuggled into the country through the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). A team deployed by the Department of Revenue Investigation (DRI) had seized the contraband outside the airport. In the initial phase, the DRI had started looking into the matter. However, after some days, the CIB was entrusted with the responsibility of investigating the case as it was suspected to have something to do with international racketeers.  

Seven different national political parties represented in the House of Representatives had held a meeting at Singha Durbar on Wednesday. The parties agreed to form a parliamentary probe commission soon in accordance with the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 2026 (1969 AD). As per the deal, the proposed commission would work on identifying long-term solutions to the recurrent issue of gold smuggling into the country through the airport. The proposed commission would begin carrying out its responsibility from upcoming September 22.  The parliamentary commission would be assigned to submit its recommendations on the laws to be revised and structural reforms to be made after studying the various reports related to gold smuggling. The political leaders also agreed on allowing the CIB to continue its probe into the gold smuggling scam and file charge sheets against those indicted in the crime at the court of law. As of now, a total of 23 suspects have been in the CIB net and the agency has been continuing its investigation. 

Various sections of society had shown their serious concern over the continuous impasse in parliament as the supreme people’s elected body had to deliberate on numerous issues of national and public importance. President Ramchandra Paudel had also taken the initiative to hold consultations with the leaders of different national parties, including the UML, for giving an outlet to the protracted impasse in parliament. It was really a commendable effort on the part of the Head of the State to end the House deadlock. The President, however, had made it clear by stating that the prolonged obstructions in the House had sent a negative message to the general public. He warned that if the UML kept on obstructing the parliament sessions, the federal system of governance would be in jeopardy. It was natural for the President to show his concerns over such a serious matter as he is the guardian of the hard-won constitution.    

The general life has remained badly affected due to exorbitant price rise in consumer items. Besides, rain-induced disasters like flash floods, landslides and inundations have wreaked havoc and the vector-borne dengue has kept on taking its toll on the health of people nationwide. At such a testing time, the parliament has a crucial role to play in bringing those pertinent issues to the government’s notice and force the relevant public agencies to deal with such problems, intensify search and rescue operations and work for the relief and rehabilitation of those hit by the monsoon disasters.