'Govt's non-performance is a false narrative'

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Mar. 27: Minister for Home Affairs Ramesh Lekhak has said that despite significant progress made by the government after the establishment of democracy, efforts are being made to create a negative narrative suggesting that nothing has been accomplished yet.

Speaking at a ceremony to inaugurate the new building of the Juddha Fire Brigade Office in Dudhpati, Bhaktapur, on Wednesday, Minister Lekhak said that constructing a narrative claiming that the government has done nothing and that the country has seen no progress is misleading.

Home Minister Lekhak remarked, "I firmly believe that the people have not forgotten the day when the then king staged a coup and abolished democracy. 

When the monarchy seized absolute power, the first thing they did was to suppress the media by raiding news organisations, shutting down newspapers, confiscating publications, threatening journalists, and silencing the voice of the people. The entire press corp and the public remember this, so the people of Nepal cannot say that they want such a system restored."

He said that there is no alternative to the republic and said, "It is not true that nothing has been done or that no progress has been made. Many things have been achieved, but certainly not as quickly as people expected. I am not saying that there are no problems in the country but democracy is the only system that allows us to address and resolve them."

Despite various challenges and problems, he stated that a great deal of progress has been made. He pointed out that an autocratic system suppresses the voices of the people and the media, whereas democracy takes account of those voices and moves forward on the path of prosperity.

Home Minister Lekhak further said, "We have already experienced the dictatorship that silenced people’s freedom, emotions, and voices. It is 

hard to believe that the people, who sacrificed so much for democracy, would now want to return to the same old system. The false narratives being spread by certain elements will soon dissipate."

He dismissed concerns that people would be misled by such deceptive propaganda and stressed that only democracy ensures free press, freedom of expression, an independent media, and people's voice. He also stated that the media sector understands this reality well.

He directed emergency response units to remain ready 24/7 to handle any disaster and assured that since the Juddha Fire Brigade in Bhaktapur operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry would not only extend the land lease agreement but also work towards acquiring land in the name of the fire brigade itself.

Emphasising the importance of timely response, he said that any delay or negligence could lead to loss of life and property. He also urged local municipalities to contribute towards increasing the number of fire trucks.