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Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has vowed not to compromise with anyone to establish and uphold good governance. Responding to the concerns raised by lawmakers in Tuesday’s House of Representatives (HoR) meeting, Dahal said anyone found involved in any wrongdoing will not be spared. “Nothing will prevent the government from taking action against the individuals found guilty of wrongdoing,” he said. 

The prime minister said that his government has resolved to promote good governance by investigating large corruption scams, gold smuggling incidents and public land grabbing cases, among other crimes. “The government will scale up its moves against such illicit activities,” he added.

On the queries raised by the opposition lawmakers regarding the appointment of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane as the deputy prime minister and home minister despite allegations of misappropriation of cooperative funds, the prime minister said that the investigation thus far suggests “no link between Lamichhane and the cooperative’s board of directors, account committee, or loan committee. “There is no proof of him being an employee of the cooperative or holding any institutional roles. Additionally, there are no ongoing legal proceedings against him,” Dahal said. 

He added that the cooperative loan issued in Lamichhane’s name has been repaid, and the police too have briefed the government that there is no need for further investigation in the case. The major opposition, Nepali Congress, has been critical of Lamichhane’s ministerial appointment, citing that he is under investigation for his alleged involvement in  misappropriation of cooperative funds.  

NC wants House panel to look into Lamichhane’s case 

The Nepali Congress is not satisfied with Prime Minister Dahal’s clarification regarding Home Minister Lamichhane’s alleged role in a fund misappropriation case and have demanded for a special House committee to look into the matter. Earlier, the prime minister had told the House that appointing Lamichhane as the deputy prime minister and home minister would not constitute a conflict of interest as the investigation has already exonerated Lamichhane.  

Nepali Congress Chief Whip Ramesh Lekhak contended in Tuesday’s parliament meeting that there is enough evidence to suggest that Home Minister Lamichhane was directly involved in misappropriation of funds from Pokhara-based Surya Darshan Cooperatives. 

“The prime minister said that there is no evidence, but we say there is. Let us create an environment for a fair investigation into this case. We call for the formation of an investigation committee in the parliament itself to look into this case,” Lekhak demanded before the House. He also demanded that Home Minister Lamichhane step down on moral grounds and cooperate in the investigation. 

Meanwhile, CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has said that some forces are actively trying to defame Home Minister Lamichhane by demanding his resignation. Speaking at a press meet in Dhangadhi on Tuesday, Oli claimed that Lamichhane has no connection with the cooperatives accused of misappropriating funds. “If we go after every complaint against ministers or parliamentarians, there might arise a situation when all positions of minister and parliamentarians would be vacant,” he said. 

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has said that some forces were active in defaming Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane by demanding his resignation.

In a press meet organized by Press Chautari Kailali chapter in Dhangadhi, today, former Prime Minister Oli claimed that Lamichhane, who has no connection with the cooperatives, was being forcibly implicated to discredit him.

He insisted that Lamichhane had no connection with the cooperatives and that it would have no influence on the investigation. He also stated that victims of the cooperatives will get justice soon.

"If there is a complaint against any minister or parliamentarian, then there might arise a situation when all positions of minister and parliamentarians would be vacant," Oli said.

In another context, former PM Oli commented that one should not react irresponsibly regarding the merger of communist forces connecting that with the power sharing in government.

Chairman Oli, who arrived in Dhangadhi after inaugurating the 9th district convention of UML Dadeldhura committee on Monday, has returned to Kathmandu today.

Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song called on Finance Minister Barshaman Pun today.

According to the Minister's Secretariat, the discussion revolved around bilateral cooperation and mutual interests.

During the meeting, Minister Pun urged the Chinese side to expedite Chinese-funded development projects in Nepal, expressing his hope for rapid progress in these projects. He praised China's economic development and measures against poverty alleviation, suggesting Nepal could learn from China's experience.

Acknowledging Nepal's current economic sluggishness, Minister Pun highlighted Nepali citizens' high aspirations for development and expressed hope for additional cooperation from bilateral and multilateral agencies.

He assured of prompt progress in implementing the second cluster of the Ring Road expansion project funded by China, including the construction of the 220KV Jilong-Kerung-Rasuwagadhi-Chilime transnational transmission line.

Minister Pun also inquired about progress regarding the feasibility study for the 'Cross Himalaya Railway' project agreed upon during Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's China visit in September last year. He said that the railway project remains a 'dream project' for Nepali citizens and urged its prompt implementation from the Chinese side.

Expressing gratitude for China's decision to operate Tatopani and Rasuwagadhi transit points regularly, Minister Pun called for the opening of other transit points along the Nepal-China border. He hoped for quick completion of the feasibility study regarding the Tokha-Chhahare Tunnel Way, a priority project for Nepal.

Minister Pun reminded Ambassador Chen of the upcoming third Nepal Investment Summit scheduled to be held on April 28-29 and invited Chinese investors to participate. He also sought Chinese cooperation to launch international flights targeting Bhairahawa and Pokhara regional international airports.

In response, Ambassador Chen insisted on implementing bilateral agreements reached during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Nepal in October 2019 and Dahal's visit to China. He pledged China's encouraging participation in the Nepal Investment Summit and expressed China's interest in investing in Nepal's agricultural, industrial, and technology sectors.

Shedding light on a long relationship and cooperation between Nepal and China, the ambassador was hopeful that the levels of mutual cooperation and collaboration would further deepen in the days to come.

Wishing for the success of the Nepal Investment Summit, the ambassador pledged an encouraging participation of China in the event.

He said that Nepal's economic and social development is the concern and top priority of China and it is interested in investing in Nepal's agricultural, industrial and technical sectors.

China wants to join hands with Nepal in efforts aiming to take the China-Nepal relations to a new height, accelerate its development and achieve prosperity, according to the Chinese envoy who assured deeper ties between the two neighbors in the days to come.

He briefed Minister Pun on preparations by China-based airlines to launch flights in Pokhara and Bhairahawa airports, underline the need for permits for an air route and permissions for flight operations along the Pokhara-Kathmandu and Bhairahawa-Kathmandu routes as well.

The main opposition Nepali Congress has demanded formation of an investigation committee from within the Parliament itself for impartially looking into the charges of cooperative fraud leveled against Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane.

The Nepali Congress, in the Parliament, has been calling for the resignation of the Home Minister.

Responding to the allegations on Lamichhane in the meeting of the House of Representatives today, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal expressed the commitment to take action against him if the investigation proved Lamichhane as the culprit.

According to the PM, appointing Lamichhane as the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister would not constitute a conflict of interest when the investigation on the complaints filed by the victims of the Pokhara-based Surya Darshan Cooperatives has already been concluded.

The NC has expressed its reservation on the Prime Minister's argument that there was no adequate evidence and basis for removing Home Minister Lamichhane from his post.

In the meeting today, Nepali Congress Chief Whip Ramesh Lekhak contended that there is enough evidence that Home Minister Lamichhane is directly involved in the cooperative swindling case, claiming that loans have been found issued illegally by the cooperative in contravention of the provision in the Cooperative Act disallowing loans to the non-members.

"The Honorable Prime Minister said that there is not enough evidence, but we say there is. Let us create an environment for a fair investigation into this case. We call for the formation of an investigation committee in the Parliament itself to probe this case," the NC Chief Whip reiterated.

Referring to the instances in the past in which the government ministers have resigned from their post when questions were raised on their morality, Lekhak demanded that Home Minister Lamichhane too should resign on moral grounds and cooperate in the investigation.