KATHMANDU, Jan 31: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has informed the House of Representatives (HoR) about the rationale behind introducing the ordinance.
Addressing the HoR meeting on Friday, Prime Minister Oli stated that 29 acts have been amended through the ordinance, including 11 aimed at improving the economic and business environment and boosting investment, 12 related to good governance and public service, three concerning land and forests as well as amendments to the Economic Procedures and Fiscal Responsibility Act, the Privatization Act, and the Cooperatives Act.
Prime Minister Oli’s clarification about the need to introduce ordinances comes amid opposition parties spearheading protests against the government’s move to introduce ordinance weeks before the winter session of the federal parliament began on Friday. Here is the full text of the speech he made to justify bringing the ordinances.
Prime Minister Oli also highlighted the major achievements made by his government nearly seven months ago. He has cited Siddhababa tunnel breakthrough and the progress made in Kathmandu-Terai Fast Track project as key achievements of his government.
Here are key highlights of his address:
DPM Shrestha highlights achievements of his 100 days
In the past nine years, vehicles have crashed 42 times in Siddhababa along the Butwal–Palpa road section, killing many people. Honorable Speaker, I recently came across this headline in an online news article. Reading it sent chills down my spine. The pain of elderly parents and orphaned children who lost their loved ones in such accidents deeply moved me. Unsafe road infrastructure has condemned us to hearing such tragic news almost every day.
I made a firm resolution-we must change this situation, and we must take action. To prevent such heartbreaking incidents, I want to remind everyone that we have already taken some steps forward. Just a week before this winter session of Parliament began, workers successfully broke through the Siddhababa Tunnel. Soon, we will bring this tunnel into operation.
This road will connect Pyuthan to Butwal via the northern regions of Palpa, Syangja, Kaski, Gulmi, and Arghakhanchi. It will also link to the Kaligandaki Corridor, significantly transforming the lives of people in those areas. To minimize road travel risks and build sustainable infrastructure, we launched the tunnel road project.
Honorable Speaker, after assuming office as Prime Minister, I stated during the vote of confidence in Parliament that completing the ongoing projects would be the government's top priority. Today, I will update this esteemed House on the progress we have achieved in these projects:
- We have achieved the breakthrough of the Dhedre Tunnel in Makwanpur under the Kathmandu-Terai Fast Track project.
- We also achieved a breakthrough just a few days ago in our national pride project, the Jogbani-Kimathanka road, which connects China and India.
- When this government took office, the construction of the Butwal-Narayanghat road section had been abandoned after the contractor company withdrew. Today, we are rapidly advancing the work.
- When this government took office, the Muglin-Pokhara road was covered in dust, but now it is smooth and appealing.
- Sports have become a way of life for our youth. Recognizing this, the first Cabinet meeting of this term decided to upgrade the Kirtipur cricket ground into a stadium with floodlights. We have announced the tender, and we are moving forward to complete it within the specified timeframe.
- Regarding stadiums, we have completed the modern Karnali Stadium in Surkhet. Establishing a modern stadium in Karnali, a region considered geographically remote, sends a positive message for the future of our youth.
- In development and construction, we have not only achieved breakthroughs but also revived many stalled projects that had been put on hold before our tenure.
