Parliamentary Committee Adopts New Approach for Infrastructure Development Oversight

Kathmandu. The Infrastructure Development Committee of the Federal Parliament has changed its working style and started a 'new practice'. The committee has adopted a new strategy to make its meetings more effective and result-oriented by freeing them from the traditional format.

According to Committee Chairman Ashish Gajurel of the Infrastructure Development Committee under the House of Representatives, the committee will now end the old practice of summoning ministry secretaries or ministers, listening to them, and asking questions based on their statements.

Chairman Gajurel said, 'Previously, the practice was to call the secretary, listen to their presentation, ask them questions, and be satisfied with their answers. That will now stop. The committee itself will form sub-committees, study development construction projects either by going to the field or by any means, and demand answers from ministers and secretaries based on that report.'

The committee meeting held on Tuesday formed two important sub-committees to give shape to this 'new practice'. An 'Project Study Sub-committee' with 7 members has been formed under the convenorship of engineer-MP Shriram Neupane for the field and technical study of projects to understand the status of national pride and other important infrastructure projects.

This sub-committee will not only prepare a report but also conduct field visits and online monitoring and submit its report within 15 days. It aims to identify the technical aspects of the projects and the reasons for delays, providing necessary 'input' to the government.

Revision of Meeting Operation Procedures To make committee meetings more dignified, organized, and result-oriented, a 3-member 'Procedure Sub-committee' has been formed under the convenorship of MP Rajendra Kumar Rai. This sub-committee will formulate procedures determining the decorum of committee meetings, speaking time for MPs, and procedures within 7 days. This step has been taken with the objective of making it easier for new MPs to understand the procedures and to manage time effectively.

Coordination and Accountability, Not Just Directives, Concluding the meeting, Chairman Gajurel clarified that the main objective of the committee is not only to give directives but also to coordinate and cooperate with the government.

'Our job is not just to create difficulties for the government, but also to assist in development construction. However, ministers and secretaries must provide clear answers to the committee's questions,' he said. Chairman Gajurel stated that they are committed to completing the unfinished infrastructure works and picking up the pace of development without being under any kind of pressure.