KATHMANDU, Nov 4: While the country mourns the death of the Jajarkot earthquake victims, President Ram Chandra Poudel is all set to embark on his Europe trip on Wednesday.
The Cabinet meeting on Thursday approved the 10-day long foreign trip of President Poudel. He is all set to visit the European countries including France, Germany and Italy on the scheduled date in which a hefty sum will be spent at the time when the country is receiving a large amount of money from various fronts for the rescue operation and relief materials.
The earthquake of magnitude 6.4 had jolted Jajarkot at 11:47 PM on Friday night, severely affecting the remote hill district as well as neighboring Rukum West. So far, the natural disaster has claimed more than 150 lives while similar numbers of people have been injured.
Ill-timed Europe visit of President
President Poudel in this regard issued his prompt statement on Saturday morning, drawing attention of the government to make a quick move towards rescue operation and distribution of reliefs. However, he did not mention anything about his next week’s foreign visit.
Analysts said that the president’s visit at this very moment of crisis cannot be considered appropriate. According to them, the president’s apathy will invite a wide criticism globally.
Hari Roka, a political analyst, said the president spending large chunks of money for foreign visits during a country in crisis does not convey a positive message. “It will be better if the president cancels his visit at least for now,” he said.
Professor of Political Study at the Tribhuvan University, Rishi Ram Sharma, also echoed Roka. “Such a move of the president will not create better views towards the country’s practices both in domestic and international arenas,” said Sharma.
Apart from President Poudel, two ministers and a state-minister of the government are also scheduled for the foreign trip next week. Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka will be leading Nepali team for ‘Dubai Air Show 2023’ to be held in the UAE.
Likewise, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Ramesh Rijal is leaving for Shanghai, China to participate in the 6th China International Import Expo. Minister of State for Education, Science and Technology Pramila Kumari Yadav will be leading Nepali team to participate in ‘The Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange’ being organized in Ching Cheong, China on November 6-7.
