KATHMANDU, April 5: A meeting of the cabinet has decided to publish a notice in Nepal Gazette banning protest in the supply and delivery of essential services, signaling fresh efforts to book those flouting the existing laws.
The decision, which was taken by the cabinet last Thursday, comes at a time when medical professionals have threatened to disrupt emergency medical services. Although such disruptions are punishable under the existing laws, essential services like transport, health and education have been constant targets of protesters.
Govt adds internet to essential services list, bars protests ai...
Last month, doctors across the country had gone on a strike demanding changes in the employees adjustment law. A similar protest called by temporary teachers had affected tens of thousands of students at public schools. The transport entrepreneurs have been frequently resorting to strikes under various pretexts.
Subsequent governments formed after the 1990s have tried to enforce the essential service act but to no avail. In 2017, the Ministry of Home Affairs had published a similar notice in the Nepal Gazette warning all those concerned against disruption in supply of essential goods and services.