KATHMANDU, Sept 21: Lawmakers have urged the government to review the provision of a two-day weekly holiday, saying it has failed to bring substantial improvements in public service delivery.
Speaking at a special hour of the National Assembly (NA) today, Ananda Prasad Dhungana of Nepali Congress said despite an-hour extension in office hours, h operating the offices just for five days in a week had not resulted in significant improvements in service delivery. "There are complaints that the provision has created difficulties in the daily lives of employees and it should be reviewed," he said.
It is noted that the government implemented a two-day public holiday from the first day of 2083 BS (April 14), replacing the previous one-day weekly holiday. Under the new arrangement, government offices open an hour earlier from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
A call for effective parliamentary functioning
Similarly, Madan Kumari Shah (Garima) of CPN (Unified Socialist) echoed the need for the government to raise concerns over the recent devastating Bhotekoshi floods at international forums through climate change diplomacy.
CPN (UML)'s Mina Singh Rakhal demanded the government take action supplies of cooking gas on 'black market' and its 'artificial' shortage.
Bishnu Devi Pudasaini called for the removal of value- added tax (VAT) from electricity tariff.
Rajendra Laxmi Gaire of the Nepali Communist Party called for improvement to the Butwal-Palpa road section, citing that bad condition of the roadway continues to contribute to fatal accidents.
Meanwhile, Somnath Portel of CPN-UML stressed the need for all quarters to unite in relief and rescue efforts following the devastating floods.
