Parliamentary Committee Erupts Over Finance Minister's Remarks

Kathmandu. A parliamentary committee erupted over Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle's alleged threats to lawmakers.  

In Thursday's meeting, Finance Minister Wagle stated that the economic bill had been amended before and that he had amended it now. He said the government was now ruthless in terms of good governance and would 'open files,' claiming he had made 'fewer mistakes' in the economic bill.

Taking this statement from the Finance Minister as a basis, a question-and-answer session took place between opposition party CPN and ruling party lawmakers in Friday's meeting. Former Finance Minister and Communist Party of Nepal lawmaker Barshaman Pun accused the current Finance Minister of making threatening remarks against the dignity of the committee.

Speaking in the meeting, former Finance Minister Pun strongly opposed the Finance Minister's style of looking down on and threatening lawmakers, calling it a violation of committee dignity. Pun protested Finance Minister Wagle's statement, saying, 'If they did 70 yesterday, I only did 6.'

He stated that the committee should be serious about this, as committing any number of crimes is still a crime. He said that while this committee should be an opportunity for the Finance Minister to clarify his points and present facts, the behavior shown was instead an insult to the committee, making it necessary for the committee to be serious.

Pun added that if behavior that insults the committee occurs, a situation may arise where one has to consider whether to attend the committee or not, and demanded that the committee chairman make a ruling.

'There was a discussion on some issues with the Finance Minister here yesterday. Regarding that issue, and later when going to the house, the Finance Minister was seen making statements that looked down upon and threatened the members. It is a sad thing to say, 'We are investigating yesterday's people and opening files, yesterday's people did 70 types, I only did 6-7 types,' said Pun. 'Saying I did 6 because yesterday's people did 70 is not appropriate. A crime is a crime no matter how many times it is committed. The committee must be serious about this matter.'

He clarified that they came to the committee to discuss based on facts, not to make accusations. 'Direct threats are not appropriate. This is a respected committee. If there are various discussions outside and defamation in newspapers, this is the place to clarify the facts. Once the facts are presented, the committee will also provide an opportunity to look at them impartially,' Pun added. 'If behavior that insults the committee occurs, perhaps a situation may arise where we have to consider whether to attend this committee or not. Therefore, the chairman must maintain the dignity of the committee, and a ruling must be made on yesterday's matter.'

After the exchange between the two sides, ruling party lawmaker Ganesh Parajuli countered. He described Pun's statement as hurt feelings and a grievance, stating the need for responsibility in the democratic process. Lawmaker Parajuli said that one finance minister should understand the compulsions of another. He stated that they were not in a mindset to obstruct investigations just because they were in power, nor to be harsh just because they were in opposition, and made it clear that threats and obstructions would lead nowhere.

Reminding of the past, Parajuli said that when they raised their voices as the opposition before, they used to receive soft threats like 'bring the numbers and we'll pass it,' and they took it lightly. He said that as a result, the public has now sent Rastriya Swatantra Party with that number. He added that the Finance Minister should understand the compulsions of another Finance Minister.

'Today, the former Finance Minister has expressed some hurt feelings and some grievances related to the issues raised by the Finance Minister at this time. I have taken it very positively. One Finance Minister understands the situation, compulsions, and the things that should and should not be done by another Finance Minister,' Parajuli said. 'At this time, we stand in a situation where we have the responsibility to further strengthen and make the great campaign of nation-building more pro-people through the democratic process.'

He stated that there is no disagreement on the committee doing all the work it can do as a responsible political party and people's representative. 'Along with this grievance, threats, and along with threats, obstructions and impediments will not take us anywhere, as past history has shown,' Parajuli said. 'Previously, when we raised our voices as the opposition in the House of Representatives, we used to receive a type of soft threat like 'bring the numbers and we'll pass it.' We took it lightly. As a result, the Nepali people have now sent us with that number. The presence in this committee is also accordingly.'

After the exchange between the two sides, Public Accounts Committee Chairman Bharat Bahadur Khadka stated that his attention had been drawn to the Finance Minister's remarks. 'My attention has been drawn to the issue raised by the honorable member. Let's not get into too many diverse topics today; we can discuss this matter later,' said Chairman Khadka.

Lawmaker Pun urged the Finance Minister to be responsible, stating that the committee would help clarify legal 'grey areas'.