KATHMANDU, Jan 17: Amid concerns that the government had failed to deliver tangible results to benefit ordinary people, the ruling Nepali Congress (NC) has instructed its ministers in the government to hold open meetings with party leaders and cadres twice a week. NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba issued this directive following a discussion with ministers and the Parliamentary Party's Working Committee members at his residence on Thursday.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, NC Chief Whip Shyam Ghimire said that NC ministers had been instructed to dedicate two days a week to meetings with party members and citizens to listen to grievances, collect suggestions and engage with their concerns. The remaining five days should be focused entirely on their respective ministries.
“The ministers have been directed to visit the party office on alternate days to meet with party workers, listen to citizens' grievances and collect suggestions. The other five days will be devoted entirely to their ministry's work," Ghimire said.
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The meeting also decided to hold monthly discussions at the party's central office, with different ministers present on different days, to address suggestions and demands conveyed through the party's provincial committees, districts, regions, and local levels.
Currently, 10 ministers and two ministers of state represent the NC in the government. NC President and Parliamentary Party Leader Deuba has urged them to actively contribute to the government's success and hold regular discussions.
Ghimire stated that the party has also prioritized expediting work on pending bills. "We discussed ways to accelerate progress in each ministry. Due to a lack of budget, some plans have stalled. We have decided to move forward with these projects as soon as possible," he said.
The Parliamentary Party Working Committee meeting also directed the ministers to ensure the timely completion of physical infrastructure projects under their jurisdictions. Additionally, they were instructed to expedite the implementation of development plans included in the current Fiscal Year (FY)'s budget and annual programs, particularly those awaiting resource allocation, tender processing or construction progress.
The meeting emphasized the need for ministers to actively work toward finalizing bills pending in the thematic committees of parliament. In the meeting held at President Deuba's residence in Budhanilkantha, all NC ministers briefed Deuba on the progress and challenges within their respective ministries.
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