Stakeholders call for resolution of problems of victims of cooperatives, microfinances

KATHMANDU: Stakeholders have called for the resolution of issues faced by those affected by financial cooperatives and microfinances. They have highlighted incidents where people have been displaced due to compound interest rates imposed by financial institutions, and have urged the government to intervene promptly.

These concerns were voiced at a press meet in Kathmandu, organised by the NGO Federation of Nepal (NFN) to mark its 29th annual general meeting (AGM). This event coincided with the World Social Forum 2024, which took place in Kathmandu from February 15 to 19. On the occasion, the NFN issued a declaration.

The declaration drew the government's attention to the activities of business houses that are evading taxes and seizing public lands. It demanded solutions to these problems and action against those responsible. The declaration also called for the formulation and implementation of laws and regulations to ensure that all citizens can realise the rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

Expressing concerns about youth migration and brain drain due to corruption, mafia, brokering, and inflation inequality, the NFN called on the government to seek ways to improve the situation.

On this occasion, NFN President Ram Prasad Subedi requested the relevant authorities to change their approach towards community-based organisations, which are not legally recognised as income and profit earners, and to stop treating them as commercial establishments in the name of VAT and income tax. He also emphasised the need to restructure the Social Welfare Council (SWC) to align with federalism and become technology-friendly.

He pointed out that the Association Registration Act 2034 BS allows social organisations to buy and sell property like individuals. He demanded that the assets of these organisations be released and that they not be troubled based on circulars that contradict the law.

The Federation has expressed objections to the Social Welfare Council (SWC) issuing policy guidelines contrary to the law without consulting stakeholders. They demanded immediate correction of such provisions.

The Federation also drew the government's attention to the efforts to impose the provision for national and international civil organisations to get approval for monitoring projects launched through government provisions. They highlighted the obstacles created in the name of project approval and agreement, and requested immediate resolution of these problems after dialogue with stakeholders.

Stakeholders have called for an end to the practice of forcing social organisations registered in the district administration office to register at local and provincial levels. They also called for the correction of the tendency to charge fees in the name of registration.

In light of the reality that the Nepali people have been affected by climate change, they demanded that the international community provide the Green Climate Fund to Nepal for climate justice and investment.

They requested an end to the act of curtailing citizens' freedom of expression in the name of regulating social media networks, and instead called for the creation of an environment that allows them to operate lawfully.

The Secretary General of the NFN, Arjun Bhattarai, has urged for the implementation of existing laws to take action against those responsible for the increasing cases of violence against women, human trafficking, child abuse, and caste-based discrimination. He stated, "We request the government and political parties not to enact any laws that would grant immunity to those guilty of serious human rights violations and crimes committed during the conflict. We urge them not to enter into any agreements that would provide immunity for such serious crimes."