Party top guns for action against public land encroachment

KATHMANDU, April 30: The head of the main opposition party Nepali Congress has said the government's performance during its 14 months in office has been dismal. He was addressing the first meeting of the budget session of parliament on Monday.

While the opposition party came down heavily on the government, a senior leader from the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) defended its performance as exciting.

NC President and former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba flayed the government for failing to focus on economic prosperity, for the poor law and order situation in the country, its silence over corruption and irregularities and the lack of good governance .

“We had expected that the federal government and the prime minister would drive the country towards prosperity without any let or hindrance. But the government has wasted its time amid this unprecedented opportunity,” said Deuba.

He further charged that the government had failed to increase capital expenditure and expedite development activities. “The government has not accomplished a single task that would gladden the people and everywhere in the country it is dismal,” he added.

Deputy leader of the NCP parliamentary party Subas Nembang defended the government for bringing excitement in the country through its plans for prosperity. “We have executed most of the laws envisioned by the constitution and the political movement phase is now over,” said Nembang. “We should therefore join hands to achieve the goal of prosperous Nepal happy Nepali, setting aside our prejudices.”

Nembang stressed the need for unity between the major political forces for driving the country toward prosperity.

Former prime minister and coordinator of Naya Shakti Party Baburam Bhattarai stressed the importance of structural reform in the economy. “We cannot achieve prosperity without addressing the structural problems . Increase in economic growth points alone doesn't translate into prosperity ,” said Bhattarai.

Anil Jha of Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) accused the government of pushing his party towards street protests as it was ignoring demands for constitutional amendment and for unveiling the Lal Commission report. Jha further voiced objection over the government's decision to entrust the Nepal Army with rebuilding homes damaged by the recent tornado in Bara and Parsa.

Rajendra Shrestha of the ruling Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSFN) threatened to severe ties with the NCP if the government didn't initiate the process for constitution amendment to address grievances in Madhes as was agreed with his party.

Rajendra Lingden of Rastriya Prajatantra Party and Prem Suwal of Nepal Workers Peasants Party also come down heavily on the government for making tall promises but failing to deliver.

Top guns for action against public land encroachment

Top leaders of the major political parties have demanded an independent probe into public land encroachment and action against the perpetrators, at the first meeting of the budget session of parliament , Monday.

Addressing the House of Representatives, the top guns of both ruling and opposition parties came up with similar demands for action against people involved in public land encroachment.

President of main opposition Nepali Congress Deuba accused the government of protecting the land mafia involved in encroachment of government land adjoining the prime minister's official residence.

“People's patience is about to burst as the government has been working to do a cover up after encroachment of government land at Baluwatar was exposed,” said Deuba.

NCP parliamentary party deputy leader Nembang said that the government was committed to taking action against those involved in land encroachment. “The prime minister has assured us that the government will not allow such encroachment and any land encroached will be recovered ,” he said .

Former prime minister Bhattarai demanded getting at the root of the Lalita Niwas land transfer scam and action against those involved. “I demand a serious probe into the land ownership transfer scam. It has been reported that multiple governments were involved in the relevant policy decisions including the one led by myself. I am ready to face action if any mistake is found on my part,” he said .

Shrestha of FSFN challenged the government to demolish the Chhaya Complex at Thamel and restore the historic pound in that locality.

 
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