Main opposition CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has called on Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba to raise the issues of national interest including the problem of inundations in the Tarai-Madhes, energy development, 1950's treaty, border river dams and the extradition treaty during his state visit to India beginning from tomorrow.

While airing his views after taking time in a special hour of the Legislature-Parliament meeting on Tuesday, the main opposition leader stressed the need of informing the people (through the parliament) about the reasons behind the Prime Minister's India visit at a time when the House session is underway.

"The country has been hardly hit by floods, landslides and inundations and a total of 149 people have already lost their valuable lives to such disasters while around 10 thousand have been left homeless. At this backdrop, extensive talks and discussions about the matters should be held with the neighbour during the visit so as to seek permanent solutions to frequent problems of floods and inundations caused by border river banks in the Terai," leader Oli said.

He went on to say that a bilateral energy policy unveiled by India was not in the interest of Nepal and would contribute nothing to the promotion of Nepal's energy sector.

He was of the view that Nepal as the SAARC chair should play a significant role to de-escalate geopolitical and other tensions existing in the region. Stating that the constitution was a dynamic document and could be revised as per the need of the country and people, he said the party could have supported the second amendment proposal which failed to be endorsed by the House yesterday if it was brought on the basis of consensus and through an 'appropriate' channel.

Meanwhile, a majority of the parliamentarians have drawn the attention of PM Deuba for holding serious discussion with the Indian side on the issues relating to flood and inundation in Tarai and Koshi Dam among others. They were speaking in a zero hour of the parliament session today.

They also demanded with the government to make arrangements for nutritious food and clean drinking water for the vulnerable group, pregnant women, children and elderly ones among the flood-survivors in the Tarai.

They also asked the government to deploy medical team in flood-affected areas to provide the flood-victims with healthcare services and help prevent the possibility of outbreak of epidemic.

Those taking part in today's zero hour were Keshav Prasad Badal, Keshari Gharti Magar, Ambika Khawas Rajbanshi, Asta Laxmi Shakya, Kamala Kumari Ghimire, Yadav, Asha Yadav, Kalpana Sharama Joshi among others.

During the meeting, Speaker Onsari Gharti Magar read out the letter relating to the Cabinet expansion while Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education Gopal Man Shrestha put the proposal before the parliament, seeking permission to present Education (Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2074.

Likewise, the meeting has approved the proposal put by Minister for Livestock Development Santa Kumar Tharu to revoke the Nepal Veterinary Council (First Amendment Bill-2072).

The next meeting of the Legislature-Parliament is scheduled to be take place on 28 August on Monday at 1 pm, Speaker Gharti announced. RSS