NA meeting: ‘Constitution amendment should not be delayed’

Kathmandu: Nepali Congress lawmaker Krishna Prasad Sitaula has said that there should be no delay in amending the constitution as per the requirement.

Speaking during the ‘Special Time’ in the meeting of the upper house of the Federal Parliament today, Sitaula said the implementation of the constitution should be reviewed to take the country forward.

“How much have we achieved what have we given to the people through the implementation of the constitution? Let us seriously review whether we have been able to use it properly in the interest of the people or not,” he said.

Lawmaker Sitaula insisted that if there is any flaw in the State governance system or weakness in the constitution, it should be amended. “It is necessary to review whether we have been able to implement the rights guaranteed in the constitution or not,” he added.

Stressing the need for completing the task of giving justice to the conflict victims at the earliest, he said: “Speedy justice needs to be delivered. We fought together (for the republic), reached an understanding, and brought change and the constitution. Now we have to solve the problem together.”

Stating that the determination that should have been seen in the transformative political parties was not seen, he said the time has come for all to stand united.

Government’s activities should be people-oriented: Lawmaker Aryal

Similarly, CPN (Maoist Centre) lawmaker Urmila Aryal has said the government’s activities should be people-oriented.

Stating that there has been disappointment among the people in the recent past as the government’s activities have not been pro-people, she said the State should be aware of it.

According to her, although the constitution was drafted with the understanding to address the rights of all sections after the movement of 2006/2007, there was a challenge in effective implementation.

“We make promises when we form the government, but when we come to power, we all forget what we have promised to the people. The purpose with which the movement was made, has not been implemented. The failure to implement these objectives has caused disappointment among the people,” she pointed.

Aryal suggested the government focus on how the common people get happiness instead of being power-oriented. She said that the rights given by the constitution should be reviewed further.

Emphasis on the promotion of free, compulsory and universal education

Maya Prasad Sharma has drawn the attention of the government to fulfil the demands of the agitating teachers, stressing the promotion of free compulsory and accessible education.

He said that the right to compulsory education up to the basic level and free education up to the secondary level has not been implemented.

Sharma said unity among the pro-republic parties was necessary for the implementation of the republic.

Tulasa Kumari Dahal said that remittances sent by workers going for foreign employment should be properly utilized and it is necessary to include these workers in the contribution-based social security fund.

She stressed the need to create employment in the country by keeping the economy active, promoting technical education, identifying agriculture and tourism sectors and creating an environment of employment.

Call for probe into Saurya Airlines crash

Ghanshyam Rijal demanded a fact-finding inquiry into the accident of Saurya Airlines that crashed in July last year.

“Eight months have passed by since the plane crashed, but we have not been able to prepare a report after investigating it. The relatives of the deceased are demanding an inquiry. I would like to draw the attention of the government to address their demands,” he said.

Renu Chand also stressed that there should be no delay in investigating the Saurya Airlines plane crash.

Krishna Bahadur Rokaya said the teachers were agitating and stressed the need to hold talks with them and fulfil their demands.

Rukmini Koirala has objected to the idea of legalising the sex trade, stating that some people were trying to establish a false narrative saying so.

Similarly, lawmakers Bishnu Kumari Sapkota, Bishnu Devi Pudasaini, Bishnu Bahadur Bishwakarma, Krishna Prasad Adhikari and Padam Bahadur Pariyar also raised various issues related to the development construction and people’s livelihood.