KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 25
While the government has claimed to have addressed the issues faced by victims of usury, they have once again gathered in the federal capital to pressure the government into sustainable resolution of their problems.
In response, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) has invited the protesting victims of usury for talks. The MoHA sent a letter to the Struggle Committee formed by the victims of extortionate money-lending, calling for discussions on Sunday.
A talk team coordinated by Joint-Secretary Rudra Prasad Pandit, along with two Under-Secretaries, will engage in the dialogue, as informed by Ek Dev Adhikari, Under-Secretary of the MoHA. The team has requested the protesting loan-shark victims to form a maximum of five-member talk team and engage in dialogue, added Adhikari.
"Informal talks are currently being held with the loan-shark victims. We have urged them to engage in talks today if possible. They are in touch with us and undergoing internal discussions," Adhikari shared insights into the matter.
The MoHA has stated that it is aware of the calls, sit-ins, and demonstrations by those suffering from extortionate money-lending. Efforts are underway for reconciliation between the victims and loan sharks through various means such as amending related laws and forming a high-powered commission.
Similarly, the Ministry is considering formulating procedures following the dissolution of the same Commission upon the expiry of its tenure to address usury-related complaints, he added.
According to the Ministry, Nepal Police has been tasked with registering cases that eluded consensus between the two parties in accordance with prevailing laws, while the Chief District Officers will monitor the process.
However, the usury victims have not accepted the Ministry's statement. They arrived and gathered in the federal capital after marching for 23 days from various places across the country last Friday. Despite laws being put in place to address their problems, they feel the law is lax in implementation and delays justice.
It is noteworthy that a Bill on usury was endorsed by the parliament through an ordinance seeking an amendment to the Criminal Code, which defined usury as a criminal offense last July.
Victims claim that the legislation fell short of addressing their demands. They advocate for the formation of a high-powered commission and an amendment to prevailing legislation.
