Kathmandu, May 25: House of Representatives State Affairs Committee at its meeting other day initiated discussions on matters relating to the present state of law and order in the country, Maoist problem, activeness of national security council, constitution of human rights commission, activeness and creativity of the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) towards controlling corruption, and reviewing reform measures taken by the government in the socio-economic and political sector aimed at consolidating the overall state of law and order in the country.
Addressing the meeting, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala said allocation of budget for the maoist-affected districts will not be made in different categories but in the form of a single basket budget, and a provision has also been made to spend the amount as per the requirement of the local people and on the basis of an all party agreement at the local level.
Emphasizing the need for national consensus in resolving various national problems including the problem of Maoists, Prime Minister Koirala said that he has been working for national consensus and hoped for cooperation of all sectors to this end.
The national security council (NSC) has been activated not only to resolve the Maoist problem but to formulate a policy for easy and efficient mobilization of the Royal Nepalese Army in national security, development and construction works, and in case of national disaster or accident, he said.
Home Minister Govinda Raj Joshi apprised the committe of the various measures taken to maintain law and order, and said that the National Investigation Department will be made more active and responsible.
Minister for Information and Communications Jayaprakash Prasad Gupta was also present at the meeting chaired by the committee chairman Homnath Dahal.
Like, the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs and human rights committee decided to extend the term of the five-member sub-committee constituted under the convenorship of MP Narayan Man Bijukchhe to investigate financial and administrative irregularities and various other problems obstructing smooth functioning of Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation (RNAC) and make a study of its effectiveness.
Stating that the study work is still under investigation, the committee has directed the sub-committee to submit its report within the 18th session of the parliament and to include MP Narayan Singh Pun in the sub-committee.
Apprising the committee about the progress of bilateral talks held in connection with resumption of Indian Airlines Services to Nepal, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Tarani Dutta Chataut also disclosed that the Indian Minister for Civil Aviation has been invited to visit Nepal in the coming week.
The meeting also decided to demand from the Civil Aviation authority of Nepal all necessary documents regarding the works being held in accordance with the policy and agreement reached in connection with the operation of private airlines in Nepal.
The committee decided to make an on the site inspection of Maoist-affected Achham and Rukum districts in context of the issue of human rights being taken seriously. Committee chairman Som Prasad Pandey presided.