Kathmandu: Lawmakers raised a range of pressing national issues during today’s House of Representatives (HoR) session, urging the government to respond decisively on agriculture, smuggling, social security, and the judiciary.

Arjun Narsingh KC emphasized the need for a larger agriculture budget to modernize the sector and achieve food self-sufficiency. He also called on the government to procure fertilizers on time, highlighting that a significant portion of the Rs 87 billion USAID support was allocated to agriculture. KC demanded transparency regarding the Rs 766 billion in grants distributed by the Ministry of Agriculture over the past five years, questioning whether real farmers benefited.

Ram Hari Khatiwada urged the government to reveal the masterminds behind ongoing gold smuggling cases, following the seizure of a large quantity of illegal gold in Rasuwa. He also called for legal safeguards for Nepali women working abroad as housemaids.

Manish Jha called for efforts to restore public trust in the judiciary, while Madhav Sapkota urged swift resolution of long-standing Guthi land disputes affecting farmers in Sindhupalchok, where 146 types of Guthi are recorded.

Maina Karki advocated for budget allocations to promote herbs and organic agriculture, highlighting their importance to Karnali Province’s identity.

Several other lawmakers—including Rama Koirala, Ram Shankar Yadav, Mahesh Basnet, Metmani Chaudhary, Menaka Kumari Pokhrel, and others—also raised concerns on various national matters.

Call to Prioritize Social Security and Economic Relief
In the special hour, CPN (UML) Chief Whip Mahesh Kumar Bartuala called for prioritizing the contribution-based social security fund, particularly for informal sector workers.

“Around 4 million informal workers should be linked to the fund. Monthly contributions by both workers and the state can ensure self-reliance,” he said.

Bartuala also called for urgent relief and rehabilitation for those affected by the Tilgaun landslide in Humla, caused by a glacial lake burst.

Ashok Kumar Chaudhary of the Rastriya Swatantra Party pressed the government to take effective economic measures, protect debtors, stop arbitrary actions by banks, and create domestic employment.

Durga Rai of the CPN (Maoist Centre) criticized the government’s policy direction, saying it neglects marginalized groups including indigenous communities, women, Dalits, and the poor, and does not align with socialist principles.

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