Kathmandu, June 19: Members of the National Assembly have urged the government to ensure food, shelter, and medical care for homeless squatters displaced from riverbanks, including areas along the Bagmati River, during eviction operations carried out in April.
Speaking during the zero hour of Thursday’s National Assembly meeting, Gomadevi Timalsina alleged that displaced families being housed in a holding centre lacked access even to basic necessities such as drinking water and medicines.
Similarly, Madan Kumari Shah said that proper arrangements for the affected squatters had still not been made despite two months having passed since their displacement.
Other lawmakers raised a range of social, governance, and development concerns during the session:
Jayantidevi Rai called for effective measures to ensure justice for victims of domestic violence. Durga Gurung criticized the budget process, claiming that local-level policies and programmes were overlooked in favor of projects influenced by political connections.
Nara Bahadur Bista objected to reports that officials from the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority had been summoned to the Prime Minister’s Office and kept under pressure for several hours on Monday.
Narayan Datta Mishra pointed out that despite the establishment of settlements for rehabilitated freed Kamaiyas, a lack of employment opportunities continued to create difficulties for them. Bhuvan Sunar expressed concern over continuing discrimination against the Dalit community, citing an incident in Bardiya involving social injustice linked to an inter-caste marriage. Yuvraj Sharma sought clarification on government efforts regarding the closure of tea industries.
Rajendra Laxmi Gaire drew the government’s attention to alleged derogatory remarks made by a minister about construction entrepreneurs.
The lawmakers collectively used the session to press the government on issues ranging from humanitarian support and social justice to governance, employment, and economic concerns. #nepal
