'Opposing contents of ordinances is meaningless'

Kathmandu, Feb 12: Chief Whip of the Nepali Congress, Shyam Kumar Ghimire, has said there was no point in opposing the contents of the ordinances.

The ordinances were brought for economic development, investment promotion, guarantee of good governance, and management of land to the landless people, he argued.     

Chief Whip Ghimire said, while speaking at an interaction organized by the Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS) on the occasion of its 64th anniversary on Wednesday. The programme was held under the theme 'RSS' role on effective parliamentary reporting'.     

He made it clear that the constitution would be amended based on the support of political parties and citizen's opinion.     

On the occasion, UML Chief Whip Mahesh Kumar Bartaula said his party regards parliament as a platform of constructive debate on public concern and laws. The national legislation and policy making needs unity in both the ruling and opposition parties, he said, adding that constitution amendment would be carried out for strengthening federalism, republic, secularism, proportional system and social justice.     

According to him, the bill relating to social networking sites was intended to regulate social network rather than suppress free speech as rumoured outside. The bill will manage the social media, he argued, adding that digital information is drowned with disinformation and deep fake which requires timely address.     

Chief Whip of CPN (Maoist Centre), Hitraj Pande, suggested RSS that it covered all 753 local levels for collecting information on people's concerns and event. He reminded that RSS could bring people's voices in light so that lawmakers could be informed and raise further concern in parliament.     

"RSS can hold such interactive meeting in order to make its broader and report beyond government activities," he reminded.     

Chief Whip of Rastriya Swatantra Party, Santosh Pariyar, suggested RSS making it inclusive in content. "Prioritize the issues and concerns of women, Dalit, Madhesi and indigenous people," he said.     

Whip of Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Bina Lama, appreciated the role RSS played in informing people and government by covering news from across the country. She however complained why the women lawmakers' views were not given proper space in media. "RSS must be voice of the voiceless," she stressed.     

In view of Chief Whip of CPN (Unified Socialist), Metmani Chaudhary, RSS could pay heed to making its service more inclusive. "Rather than a person/lawmaker, the issues and its value counts much in parliament, and so it be in the media," he opined.     

Janamat Party lawmaker Gita Pathak Nepal expressed happiness over launch of mother languages in RSS news services in view of lingual diversity of Nepal. This initiative can be continued in the days ahead, she suggested.     

Whip of Loktantrik Samajbadi Party, Ram Prakash Chaudhary, said he regards RSS a State media disseminating fair and factual news. "Introduction of news service in diverse language is a positive development," he observed, suggesting further expansion.     

According to Janata Samajbadi Party's Whip Birendra Prasad Mahato, the issues of nationality and livelihood should be given proper space in RSS news. "Social networking sites are flooded with fake information and panegyric, to which a credible media can help minimize and provide factual and fair news," he commented.     

RSS Chairperson Dharmendra Jha informed the chief whips that RSS was devoted to disseminating authentic and credible news since its establishment that contribute to State building. He sought cooperation from the lawmakers and parties to ensure the use of RSS news by all government bodies so that RSS would be financially sustainable.     

"Parliamentary activities are one of the major priorities of RSS reporting," he added, informing that efforts were on to link RSS with sub-national governments.     

Chief of Mass Communications and Journalism Department at RR Campus, TU, Dr Jagat Nepal, said policy level hurdles should be cleared to make RSS autonomous.     

RSS News Division Chief Somnath Lamichhane said the activities of all tiers of governments and parliaments were given importance in RSS service.     

The RSS, established on Falgun 7, 2018BS, is observing its 64th anniversary in a week.(RSS)