KATHMANDU, August 8: The main opposition party, CPN-UML, has continued with the obstruction of parliament after the government refused to form a high-level committee to investigate the 100 kg gold smuggling scam. 

Earlier, the UML had allowed the parliament to resume its operation to allow Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha to make a reply in response to their demand to form the High Level Probe Committee regarding the 100kg gold smuggling scam and Lalita Niwas land-grab scam. 

Addressing the meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) on Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Shrestha said that the government will not spare anyone involved in these scams regardless of their party affiliations. He also asked the UML to give 35-day time for the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police to conclude the ongoing investigation into the cases. 

However, UML expressed dissatisfaction over the response of Home Minister Shrestha. UML Chief Whip Mahesh Bartaula said their protest will continue until the government agrees to form a high-level probe committee to investigate the 100 kg gold smuggling scam. 

“The government could not present itself in a responsible manner. The CIB has been put under the influence of the government. This is the reason why we have been demanding the formation of an impartial probe committee,” said Bartaula. 

Speaker Dev Raj Ghimire announced to put off the meeting until 1 pm Wednesday. The parliament meeting was held on Tuesday after a hiatus of 13 days due to the UML’s continued disruption. 

 
• CPN-UML
 
• obstruction
 
• parliament