KATHMANDU, AUGUST 14

Members of the House of Representatives (HoR) have drawn the government's attention to various pressing issues, including the urgent need to supply fertilizers to farmers.

During today's Zero Hour session, lawmakers voiced concern over the hardships faced by farmers amid a fertilizer shortage at the peak of paddy planting season.

'After the strenuous work of planting paddy, farmers are now confronted with a shortage of fertilizers. Having endured drought in previous years, they are again suffering from inadequate supplies. Why does this shortage recur every year? Why are fertilizers not managed on time?' questioned Bhim Prasad Acharya.

Other parliamentarians, including Ram Kumar Rai, Ram Shankar Yadav, and Ram Krishna Yadav, also stressed the importance of ensuring a timely and sufficient supply of fertilizers.

Similarly, Ramhari Khatiwada raised alarm over the rising number of cattle deaths caused by lumpy skin disease, urging immediate measures to curb the outbreak.

Highlighting the deteriorating condition of roads nationwide with the onset of the monsoon, Bhanubhakta Joshi called for the upgrading of rural road networks.

Mahesh Kumar Bartaula lauded the Nepali women's football team for climbing 13 places to rank 87th in FIFA's latest standings, adding that athletes could achieve far more if the government provided a conducive environment for sports development.

Mahesh Basnet noted that floods and landslides during the monsoon often destroy bridges, and suggested that bailey bridges could serve as a quick solution to restore transportation links. He also emphasized the need to train engineers capable of constructing such bridges.

Madhav Sapkota urged the immediate operation of the Tatopani and Kerung border checkpoints, warning that failure to do so could lead to price hikes during the upcoming festive season.

(With inputs from Rastriya Samchar Samiti)