NA meeting : Lawmakers stress on taking membership of BRICS

Kathmandu, Sept 16: Members of the National Assembly (NA), the upper house of the Federal Parliament, have emphasized that Nepal should become a member of the BRICS so that it can participate in the BRICS conference from next time.

Speaking during the zero hour of the NA meeting today, member Urmila Aryal mentioned that Nepal should become a member of the BRICS summit.

Member Gomadevi Timalsina asked why Nepal was not invited to the BRICS meeting.

BRICS brings together eleven major emerging markets and developing countries of the world: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and United Arab Emirates.

It is an intergovernmental organization of major emerging economies designed to increase the voice of the Global South and reform global financial institutions.

Jayantidevi Rai emphasized that an environment should be created in Madhes Province so that pregnant women like Babita Paswan doesn’t have to give birth on the street. She also called for arrangements to provide psychosocial counseling to flood victims in Rasuwa.

Nara Bahadur Bista asked the house to provide information on the actual extent of the damage caused so far in the Bhotekoshi incident.

Narayan Datta Mishra requested the formation of a branch at the municipal level to set the purchase price for rice.

Mohammad Khalid emphasized that since the increase in prices of all consumable goods is a matter of concern, it should be controlled.

Yubaraj Sharma pointed out that despite price hikes, people are unable to get gas and he demanded control over the rising prices of all consumer goods.

Rajendra Laxmi Gaire expressed concern that the government has remained silent even when women are forced to give birth on the streets.

Maternity service be made widely accessible

Meanwhile, speaking during the ‘urgent hour’ in the NA meeting today, members have demanded the provision of affordable maternity services. They expressed concern over situations where babies have to be born on the street.

Dharmendra Paswan emphasized that health posts should be established in the right places in the Madhes to provide health services to everyone.

Renu Chand said that the Home Ministry needs to clarify the issue, claiming that Garima Chaudhary was raped and then murdered.

Roshni Meche said that cases of abuse against women and children have been increasing recently and called for appropriate measures to address such problems.#rss