Lawmakers Raise Concerns on Foreign Employment, Healthcare, Online Fraud, and Governance

Lawmakers of the House of Representatives have drawn the government's attention to various public interest issues such as the irregularities in foreign employment, the dire state of the health sector, online fraud, and good governance. Speaking during the zero hour of the House of Representatives meeting on Tuesday, MP Balabati Sharma expressed concern over the problems faced by Nepali workers during foreign employment. She demanded immediate amendments to the Muluki Ain and Foreign Employment Act, citing the daily arrival of bodies of Nepalis from abroad and approximately 46,000 fraud complaints pending at the Foreign Employment Department. Sharma suggested that the authority to investigate fraud should be given to the District Administration Office or the police, and labor permits should only be issued to skilled manpower. Highlighting the mismanagement in the health sector, MP Vasumaya Tamang stated that patients have to receive treatment sitting on the floor in government hospitals and that services are provided only based on access. She urged the Ministry of Health to end the environment where poor citizens face mistreatment in hospitals and to improve management. MP Basana Thapa commented that it is unjust for ministers to spend lakhs from the state treasury on tours and treatments while citizens in Karnali are not receiving basic medicines and relief. She emphasized that the lives of ministers and ordinary citizens should hold equal value in the eyes of the state. Drawing the government's attention to the increasing misuse of technology and online fraud, MP Bina Gurung demanded that online stores that take money for goods ordered through social media and then disappear should be regulated and brought under the legal framework. MPs Buddharatna Maharjan and Buddhiprasad Panta shared their views on disaster management and local infrastructure. MP Maharjan demanded the provision of a budget and mechanism that can be immediately mobilized during disasters. MP Panta mentioned that the lack of basic infrastructure such as roads, school desks and benches, and fans in local areas has caused hardship to the general public and students. Speaking about the remoteness and lack of health services in Achham, MP Bharatkumar Swar demanded the effectiveness of Bayalpata Hospital and the assurance of medicine availability in remote areas. Another MP, Bharat Bahadur Khadka, mentioned the 50-bed infectious disease hospital under construction in Dipayal Silgadhi. MP Bharatprasad Parajuli, however, stated that the government's positive work should be supported. He emphasized the need to develop a culture of constructive cooperation rather than just criticism when the Prime Minister and ministers are in the field observing development construction.