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Lawmakers have demanded an investigation into the 'visit visa' scam and the audio tape case involving a minister, and called for action against those responsible.

As soon as Speaker Devraj Ghimire began the proceedings of today's meeting of the House of Representatives, the MPs of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) stood up from their seats and protested.

After this, the Speaker granted time to Shiva Nepali, an MP from the RSP, to speak on behalf of his party. 

Nepali demanded the implementation of the report released on January 25, 2022, by a team led by then Home Minister Balkrishna Khand, which called for an investigation into human trafficking from the immigration department.

RPP lawmaker Gyan Bahadur Shahi stated that if the ministers involved in various cases do not resign, the problem will not be solved. He emphasized that the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority should initiate action against the guilty in the wake of an audio tape of some ministers' involvement in the bribery case.

While he was speaking, MP Sunita Baral from the CPN-UML demanded to remove the accusations against the Prime Minister's leadership spoken by lawmaker Shahi from the records of the Parliament.

Speaker Ghimire informed the House that he had taken note of the issues raised by the lawmakers.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that preparations are underway for the full operation of the Korala checkpoint in Mustang, along with the necessary infrastructure and facility development.

PM Oli said this during discussions with a delegation of federal parliamentarians representing Mustang and the local level people's representatives held at the Prime Minister's official residence in Baluwatar on Monday.

On the occasion, PM Oli recalled that he had initiated the construction of the Benighat-Korala road, facilitated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Muktinath, started the process for the operation of the Muktinath cable car, prioritized the construction of the Super Zone for apples, and the mountain goat farming project, among other works in Mustang.

The delegation, led by Prime Minister Oli, requested a reconsideration of tourism royalties as there has been a decline in tourists after the government declared the upper region of Mustang, including Lomanthang and Lho-Ghekar Damodar Kunda Rural Municipality, as a prohibited area and imposed a fee of USD 500 per person on foreign tourists.

It was demanded to blacktop the Kagbeni-Korala road section under the Kaligandaki Corridor and to construct necessary structures to fully operate the Korala checkpoint. The delegation drew the government's attention to the need for construction of physical infrastructure for customs, immigration, integrated security posts, and dry ports at the Korala border transit point.

The elected representatives shared on the occasion that the hotels and local businesses in Upper Mustang were forced to suffer losses due to the incomplete operation of roads and the border checkpoint, as well as the implementation of restricted areas.

Prime Minister Oli instructed his private secretariat to coordinate with the relevant bodies to address those demands.

A few days ago, a team led by the Prime Minister's personal secretary Binod Bahadur Kunwar carried out a field study visit of the Kaligandaki Corridor and prepared a report on the initiatives needed for the operation of roads and the border check post.

The delegation included federal Member of Parliament Yogendra Gauchan Thakali, chairman of Lomanthang rural municipality Tashinhurbu Gurung, and Lopsang Chhompel Bista among others.

The contract for the 97-kilometre blacktopping of the Kagbeni-Korala road section is still pending, and since the contracts for the construction of bridges over the Tatopani River, Danakhola, Pandakhola, and Tangbe River have been terminated, it seems necessary to restart the work, according to the delegation.

Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration Raj Kumar Gupta has resigned from his post. He submitted his resignation to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli earlier today.

Gupta said he decided to step down in the hope that it would help bring about facts regarding allegations of his involvement in a corruption case.

Expressing gratitude to all those who cooperated with him during his tenure, he said that he remains committed to fulfilling any responsibilities entrusted to him by the party in the future.

It may be noted that lately audio clips have been circulated in various media and social sites, alleging his involvement in corruption amounting to millions of rupees.

CPN (Maoist Center) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said his party is ready to support a constitutional amendment and has proposed a seven-point agenda for it. Speaking during a special address in the House of Representatives on Monday, Dahal expressed dissatisfaction with the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML, saying they had pledged to amend the Constitution when forming the current coalition government but have not acted accordingly.

Leader of main opposition Dahal outlined seven key areas where he believes constitutional amendments are necessary. These include the system of governance, the electoral system, the naming of provinces, and the demarcation of provincial boundaries along with addressing issues of identity and rights. He also emphasized the need to strengthen fiscal federalism, ensure greater inclusivity, and introduce enhanced provisions for social justice.

He said his party is prepared to fully support the government if it proceeds with a constitutional amendment on these issues. “I want to tell the government—if a two-thirds majority is lacking, our party will take responsibility to gather the required support. Move forward with confidence,” Dahal stated.

However, he also emphasized that any amendment must address long-standing dissatisfaction that has existed since the promulgation of the Constitution. He recalled that his party had expressed differing views during the Constitution’s adoption, and those concerns still need to be resolved.

“Does the government have the courage to move ahead with progressive constitutional amendments addressing the system of governance, electoral system and issues of naming and demarcating provinces, as well as ensuring identity, rights, fiscal federalism, better inclusivity and social justice?” he asked.

Dahal warned that Nepal is heading toward a multidimensional national crisis. He accused the government of being influenced by brokers and vested interests. In a special address to the House of Representatives, Dahal said the government has strayed from the commitments made during the Comprehensive Peace Accord and the drafting of the Constitution. “Are we moving forward according to the dreams we saw during the peace process?” he wondered. “Corruption, lawlessness, and systemic disorder have taken root. Public services are difficult to access, and the state has failed to protect marginalized communities.”

He expressed frustration over bills that pass unanimously in parliamentary committees but remain stalled in the House due to “political interference and backstage maneuvering.” He accused the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML of turning the Parliament into a “playground for middlemen” through collusion, calling the trend dangerous for democracy. He further claimed that the government was operating under the influence of brokers and rent-seekers, compromising even regulatory bodies.

Citing several high-profile controversies—including the Bhutanese refugee scam, stock exchange licensing issues, electricity dues waivers, protection of land mafias and questionable appointments—Dahal alleged that governance has been hijacked by vested interests. “The character of this unnatural coalition has been exposed, and the public finds it disgraceful,” he said.

Dahal also questioned whether the government is prepared to ensure transparency in critical areas such as stock exchange licensing and arms procurement by security agencies. “This government is sliding toward the total collapse of good governance,” he warned. “When the state functions under commission deals and broker influence, it becomes a threat to democracy.”

Calling for urgent reforms, Dahal urged the government to prioritize good governance, social justice and economic transformation. Without corrective measures, he cautioned, the country could face growing instability.