Lawmakers Compelled to Focus on Development

Member of Parliament (MP) and Whip of the Nepali Congress parliamentary party Sushila Thing has shared that the dual responsibilities of lawmaking and carrying out development works have added to the sufferings of the lawmakers.

Talking to the RSS for 'RSS with Lawmaker, the NC MP said, "Getting focused on development issues is not our interest, it is a compulsion".

She argued that allegations labelled against the lawmakers for their engagements on development works is unfair though their key priority should be on lawmaking.

HoR Member Thing added that failure to participate in the country's development discourse will result in the wrong impression for the lawmakers since they 'seek conditional vote for development construction in the time of elections'.

She states that a broad initiative and effort of political parties, government and civil society is needed to make people understand the problems of the lawmakers and institutionalize the enabling system in the state.

"The lawmakers are in trouble due to the distressing circumstance where the people's even a single demand is not addressed," according to MP Thing.

Starting her political journey in 2047 BS, Thing was elected the HoR Member in 2079 BS. Prior to this, she was the deputy-mayor of Kamalamai Municipality in Sindhuli.

Sharing her 10-month-long experiences in the HoR, Thing said she is firm on discharging her duty as a good parliamentarian by contributing in making good laws.

She shared that the priorities and targets of the House have affected due to a divided mentality among the political parties and for being a hung Parliament.

Stating that the parliament spent some time for the elections of the President, Vice President and Prime Minister, MP Thing shared there has been some delay in lawmaking due to different reasons but it is not true that nothing has happened.

Thing told the RSS that the intentions of particular political parties are more wrong than the policies for the successful operation of the parliamentary system.

She viewed that separate interpretation of a same political party from the ruling and opposition bench is a wrong trend.

She also pointed out the need for deep study of the lawmakers on several issues including the laws, parliamentary regulations, constitution and others.

On parliamentary development funds, MP Thing said that the verdict of the Supreme Court should be taken into consideration though it brings about good results after its meaningful use since there was evidence of misappropriations in the past.

"The voters have sent the lawmakers for the lawmaking process. So, the government should also make arrangements for the entire focus of the MPs for this issue," MP Thing concludes.