NC continues to press for formation of parliamentary probe panel

KATHMANDU: The main opposition Nepali Congress (NC) has continued to advocate for forming a parliamentary committee to probe into issues about cooperative mismanagement.

Taking time in a meeting of the House of Representatives today, party General Secretary Bishwa Prakash Sharma reiterated the party’s voice for forming the parliamentary panel to investigate the alleged connection of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs in the cooperative fraud.

He utilized the forum to argue that the House is neither a venue for convicting anyone of any offense nor giving a clean chit on the charge. “Instead, the matter should be addressed through a due process.”

Lawmaker Sharma also expressed concern over what he said the ruling party declaring the minister innocent from the House.

“The practice of declaring anyone guilty or innocent from a rostrum or a parliamentary floor is not good. If the Home Minister is not guilty, the right to be declared innocent by a parliamentary committee should be guaranteed.”

He presented three reasons clarifying the need to form a parliamentary body to address the matter. “It is due to the realization of a conflict of interest, suspension of an official investigation into the cooperatives, and the issue requiring to be addressed by the parliamentary procedures.”

The NC lawmaker wanted the government to bring a proposal to form the committee in the next lower house session.

He warned that the party would take up the issue more seriously in the days ahead and it is committed to its stance (of forming a parliamentary probe committee).

The ultimatum to the government for proceeding ahead with the constitution of the committee has been over, he said, hinting about the party’s preparations for further amplifying the programs of protests over the matter.

He said that there is a misunderstanding at the civic level that the parliamentary proceedings have been halted due to the NC obstruction.  On March 31, the Parliament held discussions on the agreement related to the International Solar Alliance (ISA). The following day, a proposal to seek considerations on the power trade bill was presented and on April 2, the House endorsed the BIMSETC Charter. He said he wanted to inform all Nepali citizens at home and abroad that the House continues its business.

Lawmaker Sharma said an atmosphere should be built for implementing a House calendar, making the House more systematic and accountable. Any matters that are at variance with the meeting agenda will be rejected by the party.

He also protested the presentations of issues in the rostrum sans an agreement in the Parliamentary Business Advisory and Consultative Committees.

Speaker Devraj Ghimire said the Constitution incorporates the provisions allowing time for the Prime Minister or a Minister to put views in the parliament if requested. It is our practice and tradition to grant time to the Prime Minister and Ministers to express views if demanded, he said.