PM Responds To MPs

In his first address to the Federal Parliament, Prime Minister Balendra Shah has reaffirmed the government's commitment to good governance and prosperity of the country. Maintaining the dignity of the parliament, he appeared in the House of Representatives and responded to the queries of both opposition and ruling party lawmakers. His address to the parliament held special significance as it was the first time the Prime Minister had spoken in the House since his appointment to the premiership, and his absence in the federal parliament drew criticisms from opposition lawmakers. PM Shah furnished replies to the questions related to corruption, nationality, good governance, squatters' settlement and border dispute. His remarks came in the aftermath of the presentation of the budget of the fiscal year 2026/27.

Prime Minister Shah reiterated the government's commitment to good governance and said that its first year in office would be marked by good governance. More than two months passed since the formation of the current government. It has taken a series of measures to control corruption and enhance service delivery. It has formed the Property Inquiry Commission to investigate the assets of politicians and high-ranking government officials.  Regarding the queries raised by NC lawmaker Arjun Narshing KC on the National Human Rights Commission's report, PM Shah said that the government would study all reports of various probe commissions submitted to the government in different periods and make them public at an appropriate time. He expressed the commitment of the state that justice would be served to the citizens. It has raised hope among those victims, especially transitional justice victims, that their issues would not be overlooked after the new government was formed, in the wake of the Gen Z movement. 

Evacuation of a squatter settlement along the Bagmati River bank also led to controversy from a section of people. However, the risk it posed to the squatter settlement, when the river swelled during the peak monsoon, is evident to everyone. The evicted landless squatters were called to register themselves to avail of the rehabilitation facilities. The government has provided temporary homes to some and has kept others displaced in the holding centres. Despite forming commissions to manage landless squatters, the previous governments failed to solve the problem of the squatters. Nobody can deny the fact that previous governments had left the issue of the squatters unsolved to use them as a vote bank. However, this time the government seems committed to solving the issues of the squatters. Prime Minister Shah clarified that his government will manage the land for the genuine squatters currently staying in the holding centres. 

Responding to the queries of the UML lawmaker Padma Aryal regarding the encroachment of the Nepali territories, including Lipulek, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani, PM Shah asserted that the border issues with India will be solved through diplomatic discussions. Diplomatic deliberation is the only way to strengthen the bilateral ties with the neighbouring countries and find solutions to any ongoing issues, as Nepal believes in the principle of Panchasheel and international laws.  PM Shah's address to the parliament regarding squatter issues, border issues, efforts to control corruption and establish good governance showed the government's clear standpoint. The people, hit hard by corruption, politicisation of all state institutions, lack of job opportunities, and poverty, have high expectations from the government. It is high time all the government agencies made their best efforts to translate the PM's promises made in the House into action.