Parliamentarians Raise Issues on SMEs, Health, Agriculture, Water, Roads, Foreign Employment, Elephant Control, and Electricity Access

Kathmandu. In the House of Representatives, MPs have drawn the government's attention to problems seen in small and medium-sized industries, health, agriculture, drinking water, roads, and foreign employment sectors, as well as wild elephant control and electricity access expansion.

In the zero hour of Thursday's meeting of the House of Representatives, MPs who participated raised issues including prohibition of smoking in public places, upgradation of border customs, parking fees, and fraud in foreign employment.

MP Anushka Shrestha said that small and medium-sized industries contribute significantly to the country's economy, and therefore, such industries and businesses need government support, training, and policy-level assistance and facilitation.

MP Abhishek Pratap Shah demanded the upgradation of the Krishnanagar Customs in Lumbini Province. MP Ambikadevi Sangraula said that since the constitution has ensured health as a fundamental right, regular monitoring of health institutions is necessary to see if citizens are receiving services accordingly.

MP Arjun Narsingh KC demanded that the government make the report of the National Human Rights Commission public.

MP Aakriti Awasthi emphasized the effective implementation of the legal provision to take action against those who smoke in public places.

MP Anand Bahadur Chand said that the lack of scientific agricultural knowledge and the imbalanced use of fertilizers have affected agricultural production, and therefore, training on soil testing and fertilizer use is necessary.

MP Aaren Rai demanded the reconstruction of the Khotang-Bhojpur road section. Similarly, MP Asha Jha pointed out the need to amend the current provision that requires small organizations to conduct full audits.

MP Ashish Gajurel emphasized the effective implementation of the budget allocated in the field of physical infrastructure construction. MP Ashika Tamang urged the government to reduce the parking fee at Tribhuvan International Airport.

MP Uttam Prasad Poudel emphasized making public transportation disability-friendly. MP Eshuda Kumari Baral drew the government's attention to making road transport services in Karnali safe.

MP Ojaswi Sherchan said that clear policy and effective implementation are necessary to establish easy access to health services. MP Kamal Subedi urged the government to adopt a policy of effective regulation as Nepalis going for foreign employment are increasingly falling victim to fraud.

MP Karishma Kathariya demanded that the government arrange to provide chemical fertilizers to paddy-planting farmers on time, as it is already the middle of the rainy season.

MP Kabindra Burlakoti urged the government to solve the drinking water crisis in areas including Ajirkot and Siranchok rural municipalities in Gorkha, where there are taps but no water.

MP Kamini Kumari demanded the upgradation of Jaleshwar Hospital. MP Kulbhakt Shakya, stating that the drinking water crisis in the Kathmandu Valley has increased since the Melamchi Drinking Water Project was shut down, urged the government to make alternative arrangements.

Similarly, MP Kusum Maharjan pointed out the need for the government to be serious about the security of national property located in Singhdarbar. MP Khagendra Karna urged the government to bring an effective plan for the control of wild elephants, as there has been significant loss of life and property in recent years due to their attacks.

MP Khadak Bahadur Buda drew the government's attention to expanding electricity access in Karnali Province. MP Gajala Shameem Mikrani advised the government to be prepared for disaster management, as it is currently the middle of the monsoon season.