HoR Session: Lawmakers oppose proposal to provide life-long benefits to former VIPs

KATHMANDU: Lawmakers, speaking during the 'emergency time' in today's meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR), expressed dissatisfaction over the issue of providing life-long benefits to former distinguished office-bearers.

Nepali Congress lawmaker Ram Krishna Yadav said that such facilities should not be provided to former distinguished office-bearers. He remarked that it was not appropriate to provide life-long benefits to former VIPs at a time when the country's economy was weak.

"It has been reported in the newspapers that a law is being made to provide life-long benefits to former distinguished officials. The country is passing through a weak economic condition. In such a situation, the issue of giving lifetime benefits to former distinguished officials is untenable," he said.

Stating that it has come to light that a draft law was being prepared to include life allowances for former presidents, prime ministers, former speakers, former national assembly chairpersons, former constituent assembly chairpersons, and former chairs of the council of ministers, Yadav argued that such matters should not arise given the country's weak economic condition, people not receiving even basic medical treatment, and youth migrating abroad due to unemployment at home.

He added that it is heard that a draft law is being made to provide lifelong allowances to ex-VVIPs, house rent, personal vehicles, employees, and assistant staff for their personal secretariats.

Pointing out that some elements are trying to weaken the federal democratic republican constitution, he called for vigilance on the matter.

Devendra Paudel of CPN (Maoist Centre) expressed dissatisfaction over the proposal to provide service facilities to former distinguished office-bearers at a time when the country's economy is weak, suggesting the government should instead provide relief to people.

Prakash Jwala of CPN (Unified Socialist) opined that the former distinguished office-bearers should not be given facilities that would result in the state bearing additional financial burdens while the country's economy deteriorates.

CPN (UML) Parliamentary Party Chief Whip, Mahesh Kumar Bartaula, drew the government's attention to the damage caused to various wards by the recent storm in Thaha Municipality, Makawanpur district. He demanded immediate relief for the affected residents.

Stating that around 100 houses in wards 3, 4 and 5 of the municipality have been damaged by the recent hailstorm, he drew the attention of the Ministry of Home Affairs to address the issue.

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