MP Rajendra Kumar Rai Criticizes Government Over Fertilizer Shortage and Housing Program Delays

Kathmandu. CPN (UML) MP Rajendra Kumar Rai has criticized the government for not providing chemical fertilizers to the farmers of Dhankuta even during the peak farming season. Speaking in a special time during Friday's House of Representatives meeting, MP Rai stated that the farmers of Dhankuta are very displeased and angry with the government due to the fertilizer shortage. He mentioned that farmers in seven local levels of Dhankuta are in great trouble as they are currently preparing for paddy transplantation and maize cultivation but have no access to fertilizers. He accused the government of not paying any attention to the public interest issues raised repeatedly in the zero hour and emergency time of the parliament. Speaking in parliament, MP Rai said, 'In Dhankuta, with a population of over 150,000, farmers are seeking the nectar of fertilizer at this time. It is unfortunate that the government, formed with a promise to work for the welfare of the people, is unable to provide fertilizer during the main farming season. When will the people of Dhankuta get fertilizer? The government must answer this immediately. If fertilizer is not provided, the consequences will be severe.' Along with the fertilizer shortage, MP Rai also strongly raised the issue of poor people being in extreme distress due to the non-disbursement of budget under the government's 'Safe Citizen Housing Program'. He expressed strong dissatisfaction that although ordinary people built houses with borrowed money according to the plan of the previous government to replace thatch and straw roofs with tin roofs, the subsidy amount promised by the government has not been provided so far. He questioned why the government has withheld the money meant for installing tin roofs, even though people have already removed their straw roofs based on past plans and government assurances. MP Rai stated that if the government cannot fulfill the basic needs of farmers and leaves the public stranded after giving assurances, then boasting about good governance is meaningless.