KATHMANDU, Jan 22, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Ishwar Pokharel has admitted that the government has not been able to carry out its activities in a well-organized manner.

Commenting on the causes behind sheer criticism of the Oli-led cabinet, DPM Pokharel accepted the fact that the government is not up to the mark regarding its performance and public service delivery. "This can be one of the factors for which we have been receiving criticism," he said. 

Talking about another reason, he stated that some are coming down heavily against the government as it had got a landslide victory in the election of all three tiers of government back in 2017. Claiming that the victory favoring the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) has been quite difficult for the opponents to accept, he insisted that they (opponents) have been creating plots to prove failure of the government. 

As a third reason, he revealed that the ruling NCP and the cabinet are not able to catch the rhythm. "Amid many fraudulent accusations, it's true that we have not been able to be on track."

Talking to News Agency Nepal (NAN) on Wednesday, DPM Pokharel said that the government is currently focused on formulating laws, policies, and plans and programs so that they can address the socialism-oriented Nepal as envisioned in the Constitution of Nepal. "However, due to time-limitation and inadequate preparatory works, we have not been up to the mark. I must accept it. " 

He, however, insisted that the government is applying its utmost effort to introduce laws and policies to address the vision of the constitution and political system which the country has been adopting. 

When asked about the much-talked-about controversial IT and Media Council Bills, he urged the concerned stake holders not to make any hue and cry on this as it is being discussed at the parliament. He clarified it that the bills can be corrected after receiving advice and incorporating the concerns of the stakeholders. "Don't you think it is the very process that we formulate laws? Isn't it the procedure that lawmakers hold a series of debate on bills and give them a final shape?" argued he adding that the government will accept every democratic culture of law endorsement and do accordingly. Not only the government, everyone should accept the democratic norms and values."

Responding to the question on the selection of the party's candidate for the post of speaker, made it clear that the party's secretariat meeting picked the candidate after chairman duo KP Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dahal came up with a common understanding.  "It's not true that only the chairpersons took a unilateral decision"

According to Pokharel who he is also the secretariat member of ruling NCP, the central committee meeting of the party slated for Jan 29 will analyze the work performance of the government and reflect upon upcoming work plans. 

Talking about US Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact (MCC), he said that it will be soon settled by the parliament where it is under consideration. "It's under the consideration of parliament for the time being. More importantly, it's not the current government that made initiations to adopt this program," he said adding that the agreement reached between the MCC and the government is clear. According to him, the parliamentarians will hold discussions on it and reach the conclusion on whether to accept or not to accept it. 

He also committed that no agreement would be signed going against national interest. "Nepal will not join any military alliance or regional military organization at any cost. At the same time, we are highly committed to upholding our sovereignty keeping the national benefit at the center," underscored DMP Pokharel.

 
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