KATHMANDU: Vishmaraj Angdembey, the parliamentary leader of major opposition, Nepali Congress (NC), has said that democracy is based on dialogue, discussion, consensus and participation. He urged the government to seriously consider voices and concerns raised in the parliament by the people’s representatives.

In his address to a meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) today, he recalled the NC had, since the beginning of the current parliament, extended positive and constructive support to the incumbent government.

Echoing the need for taking effective measures to address rising inflation, poverty and livelihood challenges in the country, the leader of the main opposition party in the House of Representatives (HoR) demanded guarantees of the proper resettlement of landless people and squatters, including the helpless, children and new mothers, who have been evicted from the unplanned squatter’s settlements established on public land.

Describing the formation of the Property Investigation Commission as a positive step, he also called for the implementation of the Lamsal Commission’s report regarding the investigation of property details by government officials between 2047 and 2059 BS.

He also complained that lawmakers had not been allocated sufficient time for pre-budget deliberations.

Arguing of a lack of coherence between the policies and programmes and the budget, the leader stressed the need for a clear approach to ensuring resource management, increasing capital expenditure, and improving the effectiveness of public spending.

“There is a need to present a budget capable of delivering results rather than merely showing dreams,” he said, adding that the economy is becoming increasingly challenging due to the growing burden of public debt and weak revenue collection.

Leader Angdembey was of the view that a comprehensive national consensus, expertise and participation are required regarding the constitution amendment issues.

Calling for a practical approach for the management of open border with India, he urged the government not to make any policy decisions that could negatively affect the lives of people living along the border areas. He also stressed that the government should be fully prepared to tackle the risks climate change-induced natural disasters.