Kathmandu. Rastriya Swatantra Party lawmaker Bidushi Rana has raised serious questions with the government about the impact of floods and landslides on the rescue, relief, reconstruction and economy. Speaking at a meeting of the Finance Committee of the Federal Parliament on Wednesday, MP Rana drew the attention of the government to the delay in the rescue process, the safety of women and children in the holding centers, the source of the budget required for reconstruction and the relief of the hydropower sector.
Lawmaker Rana questioned the government about the status of the search operation, saying that a large number of citizens are still out of contact. “On what basis was the search operation stopped at the Trishuli III A hydropower project? If it was stopped, why was it stopped?” she asked.
She also pointed out that there is a serious risk to the safety of women and children in more than 35 holding centres set up after the disaster. “There is a risk of human trafficking and sexual abuse if everyone is kept in the same tent. Even if the family is compelled to keep it together, how is it being managed safely?” she asked for an answer from the government.
She said that the sensors placed near the border only give warning information but the warning system was delayed due to the lack of real-time data exchange between Nepal and China.
She questioned what plan and budget the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has to correct this error. She also asked for information about the cooperation with China on the risk of glacial lake bursts and the identification of river basins.
Stating that the Ministry of Finance has estimated that about 4 to 5 billion US dollars will cost about 762 billion rupees for the reconstruction, Rana asked, “Where will this resource come from? From internal sources, foreign loans or grants? What will be the impact on the current year’s deficit and the payment of interest on the loan? Is there a possibility of the government bringing a supplementary budget?”
Stating that billions of rupees have been lost in the hydropower sector alone, she questioned when the insurance claim payment, royalty exemption and export revenue exemption schemes brought to encourage private investors would be implemented. She stressed on the need to facilitate the entrepreneurs by forming a dedicated team.
She also drew the attention of the government to the impact on Nepal-China trade and revenue loss due to the complete closure of Rasuwagadhi border point on the eve of Dashain. She said that Korala border point as an alternative route is expensive and difficult and asked for a plan from the government to solve the problems of the traders.
She also inquired about the preparations for the donor conference to be held after the preparation of the post-disaster needs assessment report.
“How are we claiming climate justice on the international stage? If we don’t do good documentation and preparation, other countries will take the funds that come to the world and we will be left behind,” she warned the government.
She also demanded to bring an amendment proposal in the parliament to correct the legal and institutional weaknesses of the Disaster Management Act, 2074. Lawmaker Rana stressed on the need to move forward collaboratively instead of blaming each other in this hour of disaster.
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