Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has pledged during a session of the House of Representatives (HoR) Sunday to address several issues affecting the country’s financial sector.
Responding to queries put forth by Nepali Congress lawmaker Dhanraj Gurung, the Prime Minister assured the nation of rigorous actions against usury, cooperative fraud, irregularities in microfinance, and the illicit Hundi business. He expressed commitment to promoting justice, promising thorough investigations and accountability for those involved in such practices.
Prime Minister Oli said the alarming increase in financial irregularities, promising to use the government’s full strength to combat them.
He underscored the implementation of a risk-based assessment system and rigorous supervision across various sectors including casinos, precious metals transactions, cooperatives, real estate, remittance, and banking. “These measures will help curb corruption and implement the government’s policy of zero tolerance against financial misconduct.”
Furthermore, the Prime Minister said comprehensive approaches: promotional, preventive, and remedial will be taken to combat corruption effectively. He emphasized the promotion of technology-based service delivery systems to enhance governance across all sectors of the state.
Moreover, Prime Minister Oli stressed the need for strengthening internal control mechanisms within all government agencies. He also announced plans to review and amend the Public Procurement Act and related laws to ensure their effective implementation in accordance with current needs.
He said the Gandaki Economic Triangular Project comprising Bharatpur-Butwal-Pokhara-Muglin-Bharapur route as announced in the budget speech aims to promote the approach of an integrated development.
The project is expected to contribute to the development of industrial, energy, agricultural and tourism sectors, he added.
He said the bodies concerned have been directed to complete the construction of the Siddhababa Tunnel Way.
Similarly, the government aims to generate 180 megawatts of power from the dam proposed Aandhikhola Reservoir-based Project, and an environmental impact assessment for this project has been endorsed, according to the Prime Minister.
Meanwhile Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has clarified about the issue of paying tariffs to the industries whose power circuits have been cut off.
Stating that some of the Members of Parliament have asked questions that the PM already explained on Sunday, PM Oli said not to be misleading in the name of political basis and to give statements only based on facts.
PM Oli responded that those factories that have not used power lines need not pay bills whilst those factories that are yet to pay their dues need to pay rightfully to the government. “I do not need to exaggerate. I do not need to do settings. I have been working earnestly for the nation and people for the last six decades and I will continue to do so,” said the PM.
The PM Oli said, “I have not said that those who have used electricity are exempted from paying the tariffs. In the name of humanity, pointing others for corruption to hide own misdeeds is not done at this parliament. Some may not like me as the PM, but the political issues need to be taken as sheer politics. Let’s not go down to blaming game, impulse, and provocation.”
