‘Opposing contents of ordinances is meaningless’

Kathmandu: Chief Whip of the Nepali Congress, Shyam Kumar Ghimire, has said there was no point in opposing the contents of the ordinances.

The ordinances were brought for economic development, investment promotion, guarantee of good governance, and management of land to the landless people, he argued.

Speaking at an interaction organized by the Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS) on the occasion of its 64th anniversary on Wednesday, Chief Whip Ghimire commented upon the opposing contents of the ordinances.

The programme was held under the theme ‘RSS’ role on effective parliamentary reporting’. He made it clear that the Constitution would be amended based on the support of political parties and citizen’s opinions.

On the occasion, UML Chief Whip Mahesh Kumar Bartaula said his party regards parliament as a platform of constructive debate on public concern and laws. The national legislation and policy-making need unity in both the ruling and opposition parties, he said, adding that constitutional amendment would be carried out to strengthen federalism, republic, secularism, proportional system and social justice.

According to him, the bill relating to social networking sites was intended to regulate social networks rather than suppress free speech as rumoured outside. The bill will manage social media, he argued, adding that digital information is drowned with disinformation and deepfake which requires a timely address.

Chief Whip of CPN (Maoist Centre), Hitraj Pande, suggested RSS that it cover all 753 local levels for collecting information on people’s concerns and events. He reminded that RSS could bring people’s voices to light so that lawmakers could be informed and raise further concerns in parliament.

‘RSS can hold such interactive meetings to make its broader and report beyond government activities,’ he reminded.

Chief Whip of Rastriya Swatantra Party, Santosh Pariyar, suggested RSS make it inclusive in content. ‘Prioritize the issues and concerns of women, Dalit, Madhesi and indigenous people,’ he said. Whip of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Bina Lama, appreciated the role RSS played in informing people and the government by covering news from across the country. She however complained about why the women lawmakers’ views were not given proper space in the media.

‘RSS must be a voice of the voiceless,’ she stressed. Given the Chief Whip of CPN (Unified Socialist), Metmani Chaudhary, RSS could pay heed to making its service more inclusive.

‘Rather than a person/lawmaker, the issues and their value count much in parliament, and so it is in the media,’ he opined. Janamat Party lawmaker Gita Pathak Nepal expressed happiness over the launch of mother languages in RSS news services because of the lingual diversity of Nepal.

This initiative can be continued in the days ahead, she suggested. Whip of Loktantrik Samajbadi Party, Ram Prakash Chaudhary, said he regards RSS as a State media disseminating fair and factual news.

‘Introduction of news service in diverse language is a positive development,’ he observed, suggesting further expansion. According to Janata Samajbadi Party’s Whip Birendra Prasad Mahato, the issues of nationality and livelihood should be given proper space in RSS news.

‘Social networking sites are flooded with fake information and panegyric, to which a credible media can help minimize and provide factual and fair news,’ he commented. RSS Chairperson Dharmendra Jha informed the chief whips that RSS was devoted to disseminating authentic and credible news since its establishment that contributed to State building.

He sought cooperation from the lawmakers and parties to ensure the use of RSS news by all government bodies so that RSS would be financially sustainable.

‘Parliamentary activities are one of the major priorities of RSS reporting,’ he added, informing that efforts were on to link RSS with sub-national governments.

Chief of Mass Communications and Journalism Department at RR Campus, TU, Dr Jagat Nepal, said policy-level hurdles should be cleared to make RSS autonomous. RSS News Division Chief Somnath Lamichhane said the activities of all tiers of governments and parliaments were given importance in RSS service.

The RSS, established on Falgun 7, 2018, is observing its 64th anniversary in a week.

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