Lawmakers welcome TRC Bill, raise various concerns

Kathmandu, Aug 15: In a meeting of the National Assembly (NA) on Thursday, lawmakers welcomed a political understanding of the bill relating to the Transitional Justice Act. 

They also took time to draw the government's attention to the country's latest political developments and problems at the national and local levels.     

Sonam Gyaljen Sherpa urged the government to ensure an effective insurance facility, for the workforce in the high-risk electric areas and orient them on the use of safety devices and systematise the communications connectivity.     

He also spoke about the need for a national consensus in matters of greater concern including the Constitution's amendment.     

Jhakku Prasad Subedi expressed his concern over the terminology 'violent conflict' used to refer to the 'people's war'. As he claimed, the movement aimed to achieve and establish the rights of the people has been wrongly referred to.     

He also articulated his reservations about the 'preparations' for amending the Constitution on the 'initiation' of the Nepali Congress. "Does the Nepali Congress known as a democratic party intend to implement a two-party system by amending the constitution against the party norms and values, he questioned.     

If the constitution is amended, it must be for the people's elected executive head and the full democratic electoral system, he added.     

Narayan Datta Bhatta welcomed the endorsement of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Bill by the House of Representatives on Wednesday. He asserted that the Constitution be amended to further empower citizens from all communities and areas.     

Gomadevi Timilsina said though the Constitution is an amendable document over time, the amendment must ensure that it will not curtail the rights of citizens achieved following a long battle.     

She also was worried about the closures of state-owned industries and public enterprises due to political reasons.     

Bishnu Kumari Sapkota demanded policies and programmes capable of offering jobs for youths within the country and liberating the country from a vicious circle of poverty.     

"Though the Constitution has guaranteed the right to equality to Nepali citizens, women are always treated as helpless," said Rajendra Laxmi Gaire, adding that quality and inclusion aspired by women have remained still a dream.     

Shrikrishna Prasad Adhikari bemoaned that persons with disabilities have been deprived of the State's facilities while Tulasa Kumari Dahal said the decision to require the submission of the National ID card to receive old-age allowance has caused convenience to the beneficiaries. (RSS)