KATHMANDU, July 25: Lawmakers have drawn the government’s attention to immediately announce a relief program targeting farmers in the Terai-Madhesh districts.
Farmers in these districts are facing acute shortages of drinking water and irrigation due to a prolonged drought and lack of rainfall.
Speaking at Friday’s meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR), lawmakers urged the government to provide facilities, including concessions on electricity tariffs for farmers.
On the occasion, Janardan Sharma of the CPN (Maoist Centre) called on the government to offer discounts on electricity used for irrigation purposes.
Dashain aayo (again)
Similarly, Ram Prakash Chaudhary of the Loktantrik Samajbadi Party Nepal urged the government, through the Speaker, to immediately announce a relief and subsidy package for farmers affected by the drought in Tarai-Madhes.
Likewise, Yogendra Mandal and Prakash Adhikari stressed the need for a special relief package for crisis-hit areas, stating that the impacts of climate change are continuously increasing.
Noting that paddy crops planted by farmers are beginning to dry up, Sanjay Kumar Gautam urged the government to identify all drought-affected areas and provide necessary relief to the farmers.
Purna Bahadur Gharti Magar highlighted that transportation problems have surfaced in Rukum district, with most road sections damaged during the rainy season.
Similarly, Bhagawati Chaudhary raised concerns in Parliament that consumers have been using groundwater without checking whether it is safe to drink. Chandra Bahadur Bishwokarma demanded that the government arrange free treatment for people injured in road accidents.
Meanwhile, the Rastriya Swatantra Party reiterated its demand for a high-level judicial commission or a parliamentary probe committee to investigate the visit visa scam.
Binita Kadayat noted that this issue has drawn growing interest not only within Nepal but also from the international community.
Dr Dhawal Shumsher JB Rana expressed hope that there would be a fair investigation and verdict regarding the Tinkune incident that occurred on March 28.
