Kathmandu, January 5

Lawmakers of political parties, including the ruling ones, today criticised the government for its tardy progress on the burning issues -relief to earthquake victims, reconstruction of structures damaged by earthquake, controlling inflation and black marketing and implementing development plans.

Taking part in today’s Special Hour, Nepali Congress lawmaker Ram Hari Subedi said the money collected and pledged for reconstruction work sides should be utilised rising above party interests.

Rabindra Adhikari of CPN-UML condemned the slow pace at which the road linking Nepal to China were being constructed. He pointed out that although the government pledged to complete the widening of Galchhi-Rasuwagadhi road linking Kyirung, Tibet, within two years, it would take 10 years if the work continued at the ongoing pace.

Chham Bahadur Gurung of the Unified CPN-Maoist blamed the government for doing nothing to provide relief to the quake victims even after nearly nine months of the April 25 earthquake.

“Earthquake victims from several districts, including Gorkha and Dolakha, are dying due to excessive cold but the government is not providing them with any relief,” he said.

Since a large section of real victims have not received relief, the relief distribution should be properly monitored, he said. Anuradha Thapa Magar of the Nepal Workers’ and Peasants’ Party urged the government to regulate the Nepal-India border, as the country had been facing several problems and interventions due to open border.

Jay Dev Joshi of the CPN (United) criticised the government for its inaction to alleviate the suffering of people after the April and May earthquakes and blockade at Nepal-India border entry points.

Mina Pun of the Rastriya Janamorcha blamed the government for failing to bring pro-people programmes to provide relief to the people, whose suffering had multiplied due to blockade, price hike and black-marketing.

Kamal Prasad Pangeni of the Nepali Congress accused the government of doing nothing to nab those indulging in black-marketing and hoarding.

The next meeting of the House has been scheduled for 10:00am tomorrow.