The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has concluded that the government is not trying to make the squatters homeless and is trying to issue the ordinance with the right intentions and goals.
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An informal meeting of the parliamentary party of the National Independent Party (NISP) has defended the government's move to evacuate squatter settlements and issue an ordinance. A meeting of MPs available in the capital held at the NSPP parliamentary party office in Singha Durbar on Wednesday afternoon concluded that the government was not trying to make squatters homeless and was trying to issue the ordinance with the right intentions and objectives.
According to NSPP spokesperson Manish Jha, at least 55 MPs available in Kathmandu were present in the discussion. 25 MPs raised questions and queries about the parliamentary role, government decisions and organizational issues. 'The chairman listened to everyone's queries and he and Chief Whip Kabindra Burlakoti, who is also the general secretary, answered the questions,' Jha said.
In the meeting, Chairman Lamichhane had said that 'the squatters in risky places were moved to safe places in a simple manner after being informed repeatedly.' ‘The government is working responsibly in cost collection and management, if there is any need for further vigilance, we request you to draw our attention,’ he said, ‘We are concerned about the safe housing of citizens forced to live near drains and floods, and it is the government’s duty to worry about the future of everyone.’ He also said that a special commission would be formed to address the problem across the country and work would be done soon. After the
meeting, Lamichhane had said that the government did not intend to make anyone displaced or homeless. ‘There may have been some suffering for two or four days, there may have been some suffering due to limited resources,’ he said, ‘but the government will not create a situation where anyone will be displaced or homeless or brought to the streets.’ The government had evacuated squatter settlements in Thapathali, Gairigaun, Manohara and other areas of Kathmandu since Friday. Some RSP MPs had also commented that the squatters should be given an alternative and removed first.
However, Lamichhane has said that ‘the evacuation work was only done in the case of dangerous places around the river’. ‘I have heard that other parties, including the opposition, have misinterpreted it politically,’ he said, ‘the government has also taken care of their rights.’ Lamichhane also insisted that such steps were taken only in places where ‘anyone can clearly see the dangerous situation of people living on the banks of the river, putting their lives at risk, and occupying them.’ ‘The Prime Minister himself has said that these places were a priority, in the case of other places, there is no question of the central government entering the jurisdiction of the local government.’ In some places, the local government has also done such work. However, they have expressed a commitment to manage them by keeping their records,’ he said. In the context of the protest by some people against the evacuation of squatter settlements, he said that he was ‘ready to learn and see if there is a better solution or practice than this.’
In another context, Lamichhane said that the investigation process against Sudhan Gurung, who resigned as the Home Minister, will begin soon. Questions were also raised about the ordinance issued after adjourning the parliament meeting. In it, he argued that the ordinance was brought to immediately improve some issues related to the good governance agenda. Stating that this government will not be able to work as the people want unless the past partisanship and wrong appointments are corrected, Lamichhane said, "Earlier, ordinances were used to split parties or imprison the opposition. The current practice is not to hurt anyone or provide convenience to anyone, it is for necessary reforms. This step is an exercise being taken within the legal framework."
Citing the example of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) giving the chairmanship of the Accounts Committee to the main opposition party, he said that they are serious about political behavior and the democratic system. He further added, "There are vacancies in many constitutional commissions and missions, it is becoming difficult to take important decisions or the acting ones are forced to make compromises and run them. We cannot just sit around waiting for time on many issues. It is necessary to show some proactivity and humble political aggression to work according to public expectations."
This clarification by Chairman Lamichhane came at a time when the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) government, which has a nearly two-thirds majority, was criticized for postponing the session of the House of Representatives and trying to run the government through an ordinance. MP Ramesh Prasain, who participated in the meeting, also said that the government had brought the ordinance to address urgent work that would take a long time if it went through the process. "When we made the 100-day agenda public, we did it with a deadline, and it was necessary to complete it as soon as possible," he said, "We did not bring the ordinance to misuse it, sometimes in the interest of the nation, the state needs to adopt a quick decision-making process."
