KATHMANDU, August 18: Nepali Communist Party (NCP) leader and House of Representatives member Barshaman Pun has criticized the government for allegedly misusing helicopters meant for disaster rescue and relief for ministers’ personal purposes.
Speaking during the special hour of the House of Representatives meeting on Tuesday, Pun urged Prime Minister Balendra Shah (Balen) to keep his ministers under control.
Pun objected to the use of helicopters for ministers’ district visits at a time when they should be deployed for flood and landslide response, relief, rescue and rehabilitation in various parts of the country.
He said it was objectionable for ministers to use helicopters to return to Kathmandu after falling ill while adequate rescue and rehabilitation efforts were still pending in flood- and landslide-affected areas, including Jajarkot, Rolpa and Baglung.
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“On one hand, there is a disaster. Rescue needs to be carried out and relief delivered. On the other hand, a minister goes on a visit, catches a cold and a helicopter is sent,” Pun said. “Rescue work is not being done, rehabilitation work is not being carried out, and the materials that need to reach there are not being delivered. Instead, the minister is brought to Kathmandu on an Army Sky Truck, and when asked what happened, we are told he is resting at home.”
“Can the state be run in such an irresponsible manner, Mr Speaker?” Pun asked. “Through you, Mr Speaker, I would like to draw the attention of the honorable Prime Minister to this matter. Control your ministers; keep them under control.”
Minister Lamsal returned to Kathmandu on an Army Sky Truck a few days ago after developing a cold and fever while visiting the hill districts of Sudurpaschim.
Pun also criticized Home Minister Sudhan Gurung for allegedly threatening voters to “take back their votes” after leaving disaster-response duties to visit his home district of Gorkha.
He said there was nothing wrong with elected representatives visiting their constituencies, but ministers should not threaten voters when they remind them of promises made during elections.
“The Home Minister has been visiting his own constituency. That is a good thing. It is good for elected representatives to go to their constituencies and meet voters,” Pun said. “Voters seek answers about their past commitments. He has been telling them to take back their votes. But we are looking for the Home Minister here.”
Pun demanded that Home Minister Gurung inform Parliament about disaster response, rescue efforts, reconstruction and rehabilitation work, as well as the delivery of relief materials. He also urged the Speaker to issue a ruling directing Gurung to provide such information to the House.
He further called on the government to formulate a clear plan for post-disaster reconstruction, including deploying geological study teams and relocating settlements in high-risk areas to safer locations.
Pun said helicopters and other resources had been stationed in Surkhet as a central base for disaster rescue and relief operations in Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim, but noted that these resources had not been used effectively.
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