Lawmakers demand govt's response to polygamy issue

Kathmandu, Aug 4: Lawmakers have demanded response from the government whether it was drafting a law in a way to promote polygamy.

During an emergency hour of today's meeting of the House of Representatives, they raised the media reports that the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs had been preparing a draft of a bill legalizing polygamy and asked the government if it was true. 

On the occasion, Sunita Baral shared that the polygamy is illegal and any efforts made to legalize polygamy would not be acceptable at any cost. Government's clear response is needed at the parliament, she viewed.

"Violence against women is much in our society. The formulation of law on such sensitive issue should be forwarded in a serious and responsible manner", Baral argued. 

Raising question about the reality of the issue, Rupa Soshi (Chaudhary) mentioned, "Women are still struggling for their rights. It is serious if the legal amendment was made, giving recognition to the polygamy." 

Similarly, Rama Koirala Paudyal pointed out that the Ministry should make public its clear concept keeping the sensitivity of the issue in the mind. 

Likewise, Ram Prakash Chaudhary, Ishwori Devi Neupane, Ranju Kumari Jha drew government's attention on the problems of farmers. 

They shared that though Tarai-Madhes was declared disaster-hit zone, farmers could not get any relief. 

Lack of electricity infrastructures and chemical fertilizer had created problems when it was high time for farmers to engage in paddy plantation, they reminded, adding Chure conservation and construction of effective irrigation project were necessary for long-term solution of the water shortage in Tarai area. 

Similarly, Jwala Kumari Sah expressed worry over insufficient service and facility of doctors at Bir Hospital while Gyanu Basnet expressed concern over increasing numbers of road accidents. 

Meanwhile, lawmakers of Rastriya Swatantra Party and Rastriya Prajatantra Party continued their protest reiterating the formation of high-level probe committee on visit visa scam. 

Asim Shah of RSP and Dhurba Bahadur Pradhan of RPP expressed the view that involvement of ministers in the government in the cases of corruption and financial irregularities one after another is gross. 

However, Shyam Kumar Ghimire, of the Nepali Congress shared that there was no meaning of the protest of RSP and RPP.

"Boycotting the meeting at a time when the government has already formed a probe committee is not appropriate. Putting forth the views and boycotting the meeting by opposition parties is contradictory. Such activities cannot maintain parliament's discipline", he argued. (RSS)