Chair Prachanda calls on government to immediately bolster disaster response

Kathmandu, July 14: Leader of the main opposition party and CPN (Maoist Centre) Chair, Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has expressed deep concern over the recent incidents of floods and landslides, emphasizing that the government must strengthen disaster response immediately.

Addressing a session of the House of Representatives (HoR), the lower house of the Federal Parliament today, the former Prime Minister said that an inter-country disaster information-sharing system and international cooperation are necessary to mitigate the risks associated with glacial floods, increased river flows due to river blockages, and the Himalayan environment.

Recalling the incident last year in which citizens died without rescue for four hours in the capital, Chair Prachanda urged the government to seriously prepare this year to prevent further damage.

He stated that an inter-country information system and international cooperation are necessary to mitigate the risks of glacial floods, increased water flow due to river blockage, and the threats to the mountain environment.

Similarly, he commented that the people's trust in the government is waning, accusing it of failing to ensure good governance.

The leader of the main opposition stated that not only the general public but also the activists of the ruling parties are dissatisfied with the government's activities, saying, "In this one year, whose trust have you won and which class has benefited? The government's activities have raised serious questions about public trust."

He accused the government of failing to establish good governance by citing examples of irregularities such as in the Securities Board, Bhutanese refugee issue, land scandals, waiver of electricity dues, protection of land mafias, and manipulation in transfers and appointments.

Former Prime Minister Prachanda alleged that the budget is not about fulfilling the dreams of the people, but rather a bargain for interest groups.

He expressed dissatisfaction that the government has not shown interest in programmes such as the management and branding of domestic liquor, which are considered important for a self-reliant economy and legalization of cannabis cultivation for medicinal purposes.

Chair Prachanda accused the government of being indifferent towards youth employment and nation-building, emphasizing the need for serious discussions on the budget-making process, policy priorities, and inclusiveness.

He expressed dissatisfaction about the interference, since the formation of the present government, in the people-oriented programmes initiated by the previous government, and mentioned that the number of cases being closed for investigation is increasing.

Since the formation of this government, the investigations related to corruption initiated by the previous government have been weakened and stopped, Chairman Dahal said, adding: "Files on corruption are being closed; corruption is increasing further, activities related to money laundering are on the rise, and how will the country come out of the gray list?"

Mentioning that efforts have been made to weaken and halt investigations related to corruption initiated by the previous government since the formation of the government, Chairman Dahal said, "Corruption files are being suspended, corruption is thriving more, activities related to asset laundering are increasing, and how will the country come out of the gray list?" 

Chairman Prachanda raised the point that the country is currently in the list of intensive monitoring for money laundering, i.e., the 'gray list', and stated that the government needs to take serious and effective steps to come out of it.

He expressed the view that the issues surfaced in the visit visa and the immigration system at Tribhuvan International Airport should be considered not merely as administrative shortcomings but as serious matters for national investigation. He mentioned that the major opposition parties and other opposition factions had attempted to bring the government's attention to this issue through serious discussions, which led to the obstruction of Parliament. 

However, he clarified that the opposition parties decided to allow the house to function due to the constitutional obligation to present budget on the 15th of Jestha. 

Prachanda recalled the political journey of the past, stating, 'Our party and leadership have historical experiences where we had to play the role of opposition while being in the ruling side after the 12-point agreement, and when in opposition, we had to take responsibility for the ruling side's actions in the national interest.'

He reminded the opposition's responsible role in presenting bills in Parliament, including those related to federal civil service, school education, and citizenship, stating, "We have removed obstacles with the aim of passing the bills that we ourselves have brought to the house with great effort." 

Chairman Prachanda mentioned that he has the courage and vision to bring about historical changes in the country and to outline a clear framework for the future, recalling the contributions of Maoist leadership from the establishment of the republic and constitution to achievements in the energy sector. (RSS)