Kathmandu. Nepali Congress MP Khadk Bahadur Budha has raised serious questions about the good governance of the current government and the independence of constitutional bodies.
Giving his opinion in the meeting of the House of Representatives on Thursday, he said that the news that came out about the passport printing and purchasing process raised questions about good governance and legal rule in the country.
He made it clear that if any irregularity is proved, whoever is guilty, regardless of their position or access, should be brought under the ambit of legal action.
He said, “The issues and incidents that have come out in connection with the printing of passports have raised serious questions about good governance and the rule of law in the country.” Nepali Congress wants to make it clear that if there is any irregularity in the printing and purchase of passports, no matter who it is, whether it is a leader or a minister of our party, no matter how powerful or influential they are, they should come under the scope of action. We will fully support the fair and legal investigation.
Budha also expressed his concern over media reports that the head of the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority was threatened by being held as a hostage in the Prime Minister’s office. He claimed that even the Prime Minister has accepted the matter and commented that in such a situation, the environment in which the constitutional body can work impartially will be weak.
He said, “For a few days, the news that the head of the Abuse of Authority Investigation Commission and others have been held as hostages in the Prime Minister’s Office and tortured has come to the media. We raised the question in the House, but later the Prime Minister himself accepted the matter in the assembly in Chitwan. Our constitution envisages an institution like authority as a powerful and constitutional body. The purpose of this is so that the authority can fearlessly investigate the government and everyone, whether it is the Prime Minister or the former Prime Minister, so that the Prime Minister does not fall under anyone’s shadow. But after the Prime Minister’s advisor has created a situation where the head of the constitutional body is being held hostage, how can such an authority conduct a fair investigation of the work done by the Prime Minister and the government?
He alleged that due to the Prime Minister’s advisors, pressure was created on the constitutional bodies and demanded a fair investigation into the functioning of the government.
Similarly, he also objected to the news that the passport printing contract was canceled and the old company was pressured to work at a high rate. He said that this indicates corruption and demanded that the government should seriously investigate the matter.
MP Budha urged the government to act according to the constitution and laws and warned that irregularities and abuse of power in the name of good governance will not be accepted. He made it clear that his party would support the fact that there should be a fair investigation into the passport purchase case and action should be taken regardless of who is guilty.