RPP Lawmaker Khushbu Oli Questions Government on Foreign Debt and Economic Policy

Kathmandu. Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) lawmaker Khushbu Oli has raised several questions for the government led by Balen Shah. Speaking at Monday's House of Representatives meeting, MP Oli questioned the justification and transparency of the loans the government is taking from foreign donor agencies.

During her address, MP Oli drew the government's attention to the concessional loan worth a total of 185 million US dollars being taken from the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank for the Digital Nepal Transformation and Inclusive Finance project. 

She questioned on what policy debate and necessity such a large-scale decision was made, especially when parliamentary committees have not yet been fully formed. Asking, 'Did we request this loan or was it proposed to us?', she demanded a clear answer from the government. The Council of Ministers had made the decision regarding the loan in its meeting held on Sunday. 

Speaking about the impact of the crisis in the Middle East on Nepal's economy and households, she noted that the general public is suffering due to the rise in fuel and food prices. She demanded that the government immediately arrange for 'loan restructuring' for farmers, especially those who have taken bank loans and are affected by climate change. She also urged the government to provide relief to the public by reducing taxes on petroleum products and to stop the arbitrary increase in airfares.

MP Oli put forward an important proposal to end the tradition of 'source-force' in budget allocation. She argued that to end the situation where lawmakers have to visit ministries, a single online portal should be created, and budget requests made through it should be made public. 

She stated that this would bring transparency to budget distribution and help lawmakers focus on their primary task of policy-making.

Speaking on the upcoming monsoon and farmers' issues, she warned the Ministry of Home Affairs to immediately establish an emergency fund and the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure the timely availability of fertilizers and seeds.

Expressing concern over the country's current political polarization and growing social division, MP Oli claimed that a constitutional monarchy is the only 'common formula' for a solution. 

She stated that it is the RPP's belief that the monarchy can provide long-term political and social stability to the nation and act as a bridge connecting all forces. 

Similarly, speaking on the issue of Nepal's identity, she objected to the situation where people are unable to follow their own traditions in the name of secularism. Stating that the public's mandate was not taken when Nepal was changed from a Hindu nation to a secular one, she demanded that the people should now be asked.