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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, Narayan Kaji Shrestha has pledged to take action against anyone found responsible for the Balkumari incident in Lalitpur that resulted in the deaths of two youths and physical loss on Friday.

In a meeting of the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee, House of Representatives today, the Minister said if anyone is proved guilty in the incident, the government will take actions accordingly.

He apprised the meeting that the government has formed a commission to investigate the incident in accordance with the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 2026 (1969), assuring of impartial and objective investigations.

"The incident is unexpected and regrettable. Anyone found responsible for the incident will be punished. The government is ready and more responsible for not letting such incidents occur," he said.

One million rupees each has been announced for the families of the victims, with efforts underway to provide them additional relief from the EPS Fund and the Foreign Employment Board, according to the Minister who pledges to provide jobs for victim's families as per their competency.

The House of Representatives, State Affairs and Good Governance Committee has directed the government to investigate the role of Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Prakash Jwala and the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security in connection with the incident that took place at Balkumari, Lalitpur last Friday. 

Two youths were killed and Minister Jwala's vehicle was torched in the clash between demonstrators and police.

The Committee at its meeting today also instructed all sides concerned to remain alert and responsible so that such incidents do not recur in the coming days.

Birendra Shah of Chaurpati Rural Municipality-1, Achham and Sujan Raut of Mahabu Rural Municipality-6, Dailekh district died in course of the demonstration over filling up examination forms for the Employment Permit System (EPS) at the EPS Korea Branch Office at Balkumari, Lalitpur. The demonstrators had set the office vehicle used by Minister Jwala on fire in the course of the demonstration.

The government has formed a three-member investigation commission to conduct a fair and objective investigation into the incident. Former High Court former judge Shekhar Poudel heads the probe commission.

Committee president Ramhari Khadka said that the meeting has directed the government to provide additional economic relief and employment opportunities to the families of the deceased.

Similarly, the Committee has instructed the government to provide adequate resources to the security bodies.

Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Inspector General of Police Basanta Kunwar, Inspector General of the Armed Police Force (APF) Nepal, Raju Aryal, and the Chief of the National Investigation Department, among other officials, were present in the meeting.

The government which has announced reforms in all the state apparatuses from today on cut down on the snack expenditures of the meeting of Council of Ministers.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal informed the meeting of the Council of Ministers held at Singha Durbar this morning that the expenditure on snacks served in the meetings of the Council of Ministers has been cut down, saying the reforms should be initiated from small topics, according to the Prime Minister's Secretariat.

The PM Office stated that approximately Rs 60 thousand was spent on snacks in each meeting of the Council of Ministers. It is said the Council of Ministers meets more than 100 times in a year. Govinda Acharya, the Press Advisor to the Prime Minister, said that around Rs 6 million is saved annually with the cut down on the snack expenses in the meeting of the Council of Ministers.

Normal snacks will be served in the meeting of the Council of Ministers from now on, the PM Secretariat said. Acharya said PM Dahal has started reforms from his own office as minor topics are also considered significant in good governance and reforms.

He added that works related to good governance and improvement would be consistently pursued ahead.

Prime Minister Dahal, who has announced to change the working style of the government, has been reaching the Prime Minister's Office at Singha Durbar at 10 am daily, except on public holidays.  He has been taking daily briefings from various ministries and initiatives for resolving the problems seen in development projects, including the national pride projects, from the Singha Durbar.

Meanwhile, the government's decision to use the Nepal Sambat calendar in all the government documents has been implemented. Acharya, the PM's press advisor, said the Nepal Sambat date has started to be used in the messages of best wishes that the PM has been issuing on various occasions.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha acknowledged weaknesses in three areas regarding the Balkumari incident that occurred on Friday, resulting in two casualties and physical losses.

During a meeting of the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee in the House of Representatives today, the Minister said that the initial conclusion on the incident highlighted the EPS Office Chief's role was not positive, the failure of the security officials assigned to the Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport in fulfilling their responsibilities, and a weakness on the part of the field commander of the Nepal Police. The individuals responsible have been suspended until the investigation into the matter concludes.

According to the Minister, the Chief District Officer of Lalitpur has been temporarily transferred to the Ministry, and the District Police Chief to the Police Headquarters to facilitate the investigation process. "One million rupees each has been announced for the families of the victims, with efforts underway to provide them additional relief from the EPS Fund and the Foreign Employment Board."

DPM Shrestha said that the Ministry recognized a weakness in the incident, leading to the formation of a probe committee. A circular has been issued, urging the avoidance of resorting to firing to control the situation as much as possible.

Before taking any actions, it is necessary to assess the serious damage to the lives, government, and private property of the citizens, and it is advised to minimize the use of bullets, he stated.

He also informed the meeting that a three-member Commission, chaired by former High Court judge Shekhar Poudel, has been formed to conduct an impartial and objective inquiry into the incident.