Deputy parliamentary party leader of the main opposition Nepali Congress (NC) Prakash Man Singh said the government should not take such a move as it would be a blatant violation of the peace process and the Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA). [break]
“The proposed Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) should be formed soon and only the TRC can take decisions on such grave issues,” said Singh while addressing the parliament meeting.
Newly-appointed Attorney General Mukti Pradhan had confirmed in public on Tuesday that the government was determined to retract cases filed against UCPN (Maoist) leaders and cadres during the insurgency.
Pradhan said the government is preparing to withdraw cases, invoking provisions incorporated under clause 5.2.7 of the CPA.
Drawing the government attention through parliament, NC leader Singh urged the leaders not to deviate from the main objective of completing the peace process as per the spirit of the CPA.
Mahat tables expenses reduction proposal
NC leader and former finance minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat tabled a proposal to reduce the annual expenses envisioned in the annual budget, which is under discussion in parliament.
“I hereby propose to reduce the expenses allocated in the new budget as it has sharply inflated the amount for recurrent expenditure (by 56.08 percent) that will eventually create a long-term financial burden and have an adverse impact on development expenditures,” read Mahat´s proposal registered at the parliament secretariat.
He also criticized the government for introducing relief package without first getting the budget endorsed in parliament as such a program would require additional money.
He said the government should have come up with a relief package without creating additional financial burden on the state coffers. “The package has been announced not only without endorsing the budget but also without identifying the sources where the money would come from,” Mahat said.
He termed the prime minister´s decision to travel economy class to attend the forthcoming UN General Assembly in New York a populist propaganda. He suggested to the prime minister to fly business class for the sake of maintaining the country´s prestige.
“If you are so much obsessed with your idea of saving money you better not go there and send the foreign minister to represent the country,” said Mahat.
PM accused of double standards
Leaders from the opposition parties also criticized the prime minister for his “double standards”.
Mahat said it is hypocritical that while the prime minister uses Mustang vehicle, his party cadres ride costly vehicles.
Similarly, Ram Nath Dhakal of CPN-UML questioned the prime minister whether the government and the Maoist party are working as per his ideals. Dhakal said the prime minister´s use of Mustang vehicle would make no point if other leaders from his party continue to ride expensive vehicles without paying taxes.
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