Online Khabar
Kathmandu, October 2
Thursday’s meeting of the Sushil Koirala-led Cabinet lasted really long. Ministers and government secretaries engaged in a war of words at the meeting held at a time when people are reeling under the covert blockade India has imposed against Nepal.
At the heart of the dispute was Physical Infrastructure Minister Bimalendra Nidhi’s proposal to hand over the contract for the construction of Kathmandu-Tarai Fast Track to an Indian company.
“Other ministers know nothing about this proposal. And it is not said to be opaque. So, let’s not take a decision right away,” a source quoted Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bamdev Gautam as saying.
Chief Secretary Somlal Subedi also objected to Nidhi’s proposal. He said the government should move ahead following the suggestions of the technical committee formed to study the matter.
Chief Secretary’s objection had Nidhi on the edge. He warned the senior government official not to act like his predecessor Lilamani Poudel, who had objected on the issue of fast track in writing. Towards the end of the meeting, Nidhi forwarded a proposal to hand over the fast-track contract to the Indian firm, pointing that they had studied the proposal seriously.
After other ministers also objected to Nidhi’s proposal, Gautam again spoke on the issue, pointing it will be inappropriate to take a hasty decision on the issue in times of blockade, the source informed.
Minister Nidhi seemed to relent after Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat also stood in favour of studying the technical committee’s proposal.
Nidhi for UDMF
At the meeting that continued till late night, Minister Nidhi openly lobbied in favour of the United Democratic Madheshi Front. He argued that the government should fulfil all of the front’s demands without bothering to wait for the front to call off its movement.
“Though Madheshi Front is leading the movement, it is a joint movement of all Madheshis, a source quoted Nidhi as saying during the meeting. Today’s Cabinet itself should address the front’s demands, otherwise ministers may have to join the movement, the source quoted Nidhi.
Thursday’s meeting fulfilled some of the front’s demands, including withdrawal of the Nepali Army from the Tarai, release of arrestees, and withdrawal of curfew and prohibitory orders.
Blockade a non-issue?
The meeting also touched upon the issue of the blockade, for a while. Commerce and Supplies Minister Sunil Thapa said Nepal cannot import petroleum products from a third country, citing a recent agreement between Indian Oil Corporation and Nepal Oil Corporation.
Some ministers said Nepal should bring petroleum products from a third country by setting up a separate entity for the same. Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat fuel can be imported through National Trading and Salt Trading Corporation. But the meeting did not take any decision on the issue.
