Congress leaders rap government’s performance

Nepali Congress Central Working Committee (CWC) members have strongly criticized the government’s performance in an ongoing CWC meeting. They have raised concerns about the government’s failure to effectively manage governance, combat corruption, and revive the struggling economy.

The CWC members have further warned that the current economic crisis has the potential to escalate social tensions and lead to law and order issues. They have also urged Party President Sher Bahadur Deuba to reconsider the support it is lending to the Dahal-led government.

Pradip Paudel: Several of our party leaders hold ministerial portfolios in this government, but I cannot tell a single good thing that they have accomplished. The economy is heading toward disaster. Around 33 percent of shop space in Kathmandu is closed. The prices of essential goods and food grains are soaring. The party president should tell the government to address these pressing issues. It is crucial for the Nepali Congress to have a meaningful presence in the government. 

Binod Chaudhary: Our Central Committee is too much focused on political matters while the economic and development issues are taking a back seat. The government should develop a clear road map to bring back the youths who are working abroad and to revive the stagnant development works and ailing industrial sector. We have to understand the current problems faced by the business sector. As the largest party, the Nepali Congress should come up with a 10-year plan to address the challenges facing the country.

Ram Janam Chaudhry: In the absence of job opportunities at home, our youths are leaving the country in droves. Meanwhile, the economy is on the verge of collapse. The party leadership should strongly urge the Ministry of Finance, which is led by NC leader Prakash Saran Mahat, to come up with a clear strategy to address the economic challenges.

Rajiv Dhungana: The Nepali Congress is a significant part of this government. So it is essential to conduct a thorough evaluation of the government's performance. While the government has opened some corruption cases, people have not witnessed a decrease in corruption. In fact, corruption has increased under the current government. The law and order situation continues to deteriorate, and businesspeople face a host of challenges.

Bhim Parajuli: This government should take immediate action to address the economic crisis. The role of Minister for Home Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha is not satisfactory. He has taken a selective approach to controlling corruption, targeting only Nepali Congress leaders. Our party leadership has not adequately prepared for the political crisis unfolding in Koshi province.

Laxmi Pariyar: The ongoing economic crisis would lead to an increase in crime in society. Are there any initiatives from the government in order to address the crisis that the country is facing today? What is the government’s road map to end the current crisis? Small businesses are facing a lot of challenges. The Nepali Congress is leading the Finance Ministry, but it has done nothing to address the economic challenges.   

Shiva Humagain: There are problems both in the government as well as in the party. But there seems to be a distinct lack of discipline within our party. This became apparent when our leader Bal Krishna Khand was arrested without substantial proof, and a group of our leaders met Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha to thank him. As far as this government is concerned, it has failed to comprehend that the people are extremely frustrated. The cost of living is increasing and the economy is hurting, but the government seems to have no plans to address these challenges.      

Shankar Bhandari: The Nepali Congress should stand in favor of federalism and Hinduism. In the previous Mahasamiti meeting, we had submitted a memorandum demanding for the reinstatement of Hindu state, but the party had not acted on it. The upcoming Mahasamiti meeting should take up this agenda because there have been systematic efforts to attack the Hindu agenda. The party should also consider scrapping the federal structure, which has not only become a huge economic burden but also a threat to our national security. Supporting secularism and Hinduism may be the compulsion of some leaders, but it is fatal for the party as well as the country.

Shyam Ghimire: The Nepali Congress, as a largest party, should be able to provide a clear road map to the government as well as society in general. Currently, the people are deeply frustrated with the political and economic crises. Many of them blame us for these problems.

Jivan Bahadur Shahi: We are yet to prepare the legal as well as institutional mechanisms for effective implementation of federalism. There is a lack of clarity on the party's position on federalism and other issues. If the party does not like federalism, let’s get rid of it. If not, let’s take the initiative to formulate the laws required for federalism to function smoothly. 

Ramesh Lekhak: The main opposition, CPN-UML, is not playing a constructive role in Parliament. This has created a lot of problems. The UML is obstructing the House even on tiny issues and as a result, Parliament is not performing its duties effectively. The Nepali Congress should take the necessary steps to address this situation.

Surendra Raj Pandey: There has been an all-round attack on federalism. Our party does not have a clear position on federalism and secularism. Our ruling political parties are not serious about formulating laws to implement federalism. Do we want to keep federalism or do we want to dismantle it? As the largest party, the Nepali Congress should come up with a clear position.

Talks with Chinese President Xi remained very fruitful" PM Dahal

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that he was excited from the meeting and discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping held on Saturday.

Prime Minister Dahal said so this evening while addressing a reception organized by the Embassy of Nepal in Beijing.

The talks remained very fruitful and it would contribute to further deepening the bilateral relations, the PM expressed his confidence.

“The China visit this time has become unique and remarkable achievements have been made. I have realized that a further environment of confidence has been created for the country from the talks,” he added.

Likewise, the PM said that the visit has added a new chapter in the centuries-old Nepal-China relations adding that the discussions were also held on the areas of investment in new sectors for the development assistance in Nepal.

During his speech at the reception, the PM said that his government has taken the policy to collaborate also with the private sector.

The PM further said that his visit was focused on making different dimensions of Nepal-China relations more robust and ensure cooperation and understanding in the areas of agriculture, tourism, health, education and others in future.

Earlier, the PM had addressed the Nepal-China Business Summit on the theme “Facilitating Investments in Nepal: An Interaction with Chinese Business Enterprises” in Beijing urging the investors from China to invest in Nepal and reap benefits.

 

BRI is in final stage of implementation: PM Dahal

Prime Minister Pushpakamal Dahal has said that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Project is in the final stage of implementation.

Addressing the Nepal-China Business Summit on Sunday, Prime Minister Dahal said that Nepal joined the BRI Project in 2017 and is now in the final stage of its implementation.

The Prime Minister said that work is being done on cross-border economic zones, road corridors, railways and transmission lines between Nepal and China.

He said that Nepal had imported goods from third countries by using the Chinese port some time ago.

“Importing goods from third countries by using the Chinese port is the implementation of Nepal-China transit agreement.

Prime Minister Dahal said that Chinese President Xi Jinping and he discussed the issue of taking economic cooperation and partnership ahead.

The Prime Minister said that Chinese President Xi and he had a serious discussion on strengthening the cross-border connectivity.

Saying that Nepal is a suitable country for investment, he urged the Chinese businessmen to increase investment in the country.

“Nepal has become a very attractive destination for Chinese industry to invest,” he said.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Dahal also discussed the historical relationship between the two countries.

 

Prime Minister Dahal arrives in Beijing

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who is currently on an official visit to the People's Republic of China, arrived in Beijing today.

He arrived here at 11 am local time from Hangzhou where he attended the opening of the 19th Asian Games.

The PM is scheduled to address the Nepal-China Business Summit to be held in Beijing today.

The Summit is organized by the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and CCPIT, the umbrella organization of Chinese industrialists and business persons, in coordination with the Embassy of Nepal in China.

More than 100 industrialists and business persons of Nepal and China will be taking part in the Investment Summit.

The areas of investment between Nepal and China would be identified as well as promotion of investment in Nepal would be discussed during the Summit.

Nepal's Ambassador to China, Bishnu Pukar Shrestha, will host a dinner in honor of PM Dahal and the Nepali entourage accompanying him on the China visit today.