Prime Minister Balen Shah Addresses Parliament in Q&A Session

Kathmandu. Prime Minister Balen Shah appeared in the House of Representatives on Sunday to answer questions from the MPs. Although the opposition raised objections that Balen answering questions was not in accordance with the rules, the process of MPs asking questions and the Prime Minister answering finally took place. In the question-and-answer session, 7 MPs, including 6 from different parties and one independent, asked questions.

Here is the Q&A:

1. MP Arjun Narsingh KC from Nepali Congress
Question: Honorable Prime Minister, you yourself have stood up and asked for time for a question-and-answer session, which is a good aspect of the democratic process. My question is – after the Jengji movement of August 23-24, why has the report of Gauribahadur Karki not been officially published yet? Members of Parliament should receive that report. I request the Prime Minister to form an impartial commission to investigate the destructive incidents that occurred in the country on the 24th. Also, when will the report submitted by the Human Rights Commission be made public and when will action against the guilty begin? In a rule of law, there should be 'rule of law', not 'rule by law'.

Answer: I have taken what the honorable member has said as advice and suggestions. Not only the report of the Human Rights Commission, but there are also reports of many movements and suppressions from different periods. The government will study all the commission reports submitted to the Government of Nepal in a consolidated manner and proceed with necessary action accordingly.

2. MP Padma Aryal from CPN (UML)
Question: The sovereignty and integrity of our nation are dearer to us than life. A map including Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani has already been issued. However, what is the stance of the Government of Nepal on the bilateral understanding between India and China to build a trade route, keeping Nepal out? What is the government doing?

Answer: Regarding the issue of Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura, the Government of Nepal has officially sent a 'diplomatic note' to the Government of India, and a response has also been received. It has been agreed that both governments will resolve this through 'table talks' by appointing their historians and surveyors. Since the problem has persisted since the British India left, we have also spoken with the British government. This will be resolved through diplomatic channels.

3. MP Pramesh Hamal from CPN
Question: We were on the verge of graduating from a least developed country, which would have increased our national prestige. However, this has been postponed by 2 years for the sake of export facility for some goods. Were we not ready for graduation this year? Prime Minister, you are sensitive to the poor, but the method adopted for slum dweller management is not correct. The current budget has also not been pro-poor or pro-lower-middle class. What are your thoughts on this?

Answer: Let me give the example of our neighboring country China; China has only recently gone from 'developing' to 'developed'. This is a strategic issue. When graduating from LDC, we currently receive concessions on taxes levied on exported goods. Currently, increasing money and exports in the country is more important than boosting our confidence, hence it has been postponed for 2 years. As far as the poor are concerned, we have strictly implemented 10 percent scholarships and 10 percent hospital beds for the poor in Kathmandu. We are clear that the truly destitute should receive free education and healthcare.

4. MP Aren Rai from Labour Culture Party
Question: When will the problem of slum dwellers and disorganized settlements be resolved? Will this be seen only on social media or in practice as well? Second question, there has been a huge scam in cooperatives in Nepal; when will fraudsters like GB Rai be arrested? When will the victims get their money back? And, regarding the Kalapani and Lipulekh issue, when will the citizens of the border areas feel the presence of the government? Also, I had given it to the Prime Minister in writing – when will monkey management be done? This is not a laughing matter; it is a serious issue for farmers.

Answer: Regarding slum dwellers, those living precariously on the banks of rivers in the Kathmandu Valley are being moved to holding centers. The government will manage land for those who are genuine slum dwellers. Work that hasn't been done in 35 years cannot be found in 35 minutes; it will take some time. Regarding cooperatives, a fund has been established. According to last week's report, about 3 crore has been collected and distributed to 50-60 lakh victims. This is not government money being distributed; it is being given to victims from cooperatives.

Regarding monkeys and reports: Committees are formed to study reports. It is heard that the Human Rights Commission's report is 10,000 pages long; it will be made public as soon as it is officially received. Regarding the issue of monkeys, Mahabir Pun also mentioned it; this is a very difficult subject. Fencing fields is expensive. A committee has been formed to study alternative solutions other than killing/violence, and the government will act upon its report.

5. MP Khushbu Oli from Rastriya Prajatantra Party
Question: What is the government's concrete plan to stop the labor exploitation and human trafficking of Nepalis being taken to Gulf countries under the guise of visit visas? What are your thoughts on the ban on domestic labor in foreign employment? Another thing, it is said to use electric stoves and scooters, but why is the middle class being burdened by adding 5 percent VAT on electricity? It is said that increased energy consumption has a positive impact on the economy, but why has the government made it expensive?

Answer: Strict instructions have been given to airports and ministries to prevent the misuse of visit visas. The Ministry of Labor is working on alternative ways to convert 'working visas' for those who go on visit visas and find work there. Regarding electricity, we are not in a position to move to a fully electric era immediately. If everyone turns on induction at once, the transformers and sub-stations will not be able to handle it and will explode. The 5 percent VAT above 50 units means only 5 rupees on 100 rupees. This money will be used to upgrade transformers and strengthen transmission lines, and only then can we truly move to the electric era.

6. MP Mahabir Pun
Question: Since I was a minister in the interim government, I have been saying – when will the approximately 3 million Nepalis living abroad get the right to vote? Another thing, the Office of the Auditor General has installed a software called 'Sutra' for revenue collection at the local level. There have been many complaints about it; sometimes the server is down, sometimes something else breaks, due to which the public is unable to receive services. Is this really due to malfunction or something else? When will it be resolved?
Answer: There are two aspects to allowing Nepalis living abroad to vote – voting at the embassy or voting via mobile. There is a fear of manipulation if voting is done via mobile. The government is discussing technologies for independent and secure voting. Regarding the 'Sutra' software, I will instruct the IT Minister to manage it immediately.

7. MP Kabhindra Burlakoti from Rastriya Swatantra Party

Question: Honorable Speaker, first of all, I would like to thank and honor the Prime Minister for being present in the House for the question-and-answer session. In the recent elections, the general public has given us an extraordinary mandate to work for the citizens. From a good governance perspective, until some time ago, it was a situation where 'nothing gets done without taking a bribe'. Bribes were almost mandatory for transfers and promotions. However, since the formation of the government under your leadership, this old narrative has been largely shattered. There is no doubt that this mandate from the general public is for good governance and prosperity. 'No ifs, no buts', we want good governance and prosperity. I sincerely request the Prime Minister to clearly assure the general public that the government is working accordingly.

Answer: Our ministers and the party president have also been saying this. We have considered this first year as the 'Year of Good Governance'. By good governance, we do not mean halting development and infrastructure. Corruption and irregularities are being eliminated under the supervision of our ministers, MPs, and various local levels. The roots of corruption are deeply entrenched, and the Government of Nepal and the Rastriya Swatantra Party are fully committed to eradicating them. Citizens are now starting to feel the change when they visit places like the Land Revenue Office, Company Registrar, and for Bluebook renewal. The government will continue this.