UML Demands Transparency Over Balkumari Incident Report

The main opposition party, CPN (UML), has intensified its call for transparency regarding the report of the commission formed to investigate the tragic incident in Balkumari, Lalitpur, which claimed the lives of two job aspirants on December 29, 2023.

During today’s session of the House of Representatives, UML MP Yogesh Kumar Bhattarai fervently demanded the immediate public disclosure of the report. He underscored the commission’s findings holding the Minister of Physical Infrastructure and Transport responsible for the incident, asserting that such culpability renders the minister unfit for office. Bhattarai further emphasized that the Home Minister, responsible for overseeing security agencies, should assume moral responsibility.

Bhattarai, also serving as the UML Secretary, emphasized the need for implementing the report’s recommendations promptly. He highlighted a parallel situation where a minister was morally compelled to step down due to irregularities in the procurement process of a critical system.

Furthermore, Bhattarai urged Minister of Health and Population Mohan Bahadur Basnet to facilitate a fair investigation by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) into alleged irregularities.

In another aspect, Bhattarai raised concerns regarding Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Sudan Kiranti’s tenure, citing reported irregularities in the commercial leasing of the Ramgram area, housing relics of Lord Gautam Buddha.