Nepali Congress Criticizes Government Ordinances and Actions Against Squatters, Vows Strong Parliamentary Opposition

Kathmandu. The Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party meeting has decided to strongly raise its voice in the parliament, severely criticizing the eight ordinances recently issued by the government and the use of force against squatters. 

The meeting held on Wednesday at the Parliamentary Party office in Singh Durbar decided on a strategy to present a strong stance against the government's unparliamentary actions and anti-people decisions.

The meeting, chaired by Parliamentary Party Leader Bhishma Raj Angdembe and attended by Chief Guest Party President Gagan Kumar Thapa, made important decisions on contemporary political and parliamentary issues. A press release issued by Chief Whip Basana Thapa after the meeting stated that serious objections were raised regarding the ordinances brought by the government bypassing parliament.

• Objection to Eight Ordinances, Accusation of Infringing Parliamentary Authority

The Government of Nepal has recently issued eight important ordinances related to the Constitutional Council, Prevention of Money Laundering, Amendment of Some Nepal Laws, Health Professional Institute, Resignation of Public Office Bearers, Cooperatives, University related laws, and Public Procurement Act. Regarding this matter, the Congress has clarified that it will support the positive provisions brought by the government with good intentions to facilitate good governance and service delivery.

However, the Congress has decided to raise a strong voice in parliament against provisions that violate the jurisdiction of the sovereign parliament, curtail the fundamental rights of citizens, restrict constitutionally granted rights, and are contrary to the spirit of the constitution. The meeting concluded that the government has seriously violated legislative authority and brutally attacked parliamentary practice by issuing ordinances. The Congress Parliamentary Party has expressed serious objection to such unparliamentary actions of the government.

• Demand to Stop Inhumane Repression of Squatters

The Congress has expressed anger, stating that the government has committed inhumane repression against poor squatters, curtailing the right to housing guaranteed to Nepali citizens by the constitution. The Congress Parliamentary Party has expressed serious concern over the incident where squatters were displaced without prior preparation and kept in difficult conditions in holding centers.

The meeting has decided to raise an effective voice in the house to identify genuine squatters, relocate them with dignity, and ensure their dignified resettlement. Furthermore, the Congress has strongly urged the government to be serious about finding a proper and long-term solution to the squatters' problem.

• Stance on Correcting the Draft of the House of Representatives Regulations

The Congress has also expressed disagreement with some points in the draft of the House of Representatives Regulations, which is currently under amendment and revision. The party meeting concluded that some provisions included in the draft of the proposed 'House of Representatives Regulations, 2083' are contrary to the spirit of the constitution and are also flawed from a legislative perspective. The Congress maintains the stance that these controversial issues must be corrected.