Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Thursday proposed to extend support for the treatment of former prime minister Kritinidhia Bista who is receiving treatment in India.

The proposal at the Cabinet meeting comes amid a public outcry over a recent Cabinet decision to provide fund to former President Ram Baran Yadav from the state coffers for his treatment in the US. According to Youth and Sports Minister Daljit Shripaili, Bista had rung up Prime Minister Dahal and sought support for his treatment.

During Thursday’s meeting, Health Minister Gagan Thapa and Information and Communication Minister Surendra Karki among others raised the issue of a youth who committed suicide after failing to pay for his treatment for renal problems. Financial crisis had forced Bijay Khadka, 18, a renal patient, to commit suicide on Monday night.

The ministers called on the government to come up with appropriate criteria for providing financial support for the treatment of VIPs and commoners.

Health Minister Thapa said his ministry alone has a list of around

900 people who have genuine problems and are in dire need of financial support.

“I told the meeting that the decision to provide millions of rupees to former President was wrong,” said Minister Thapa. “After I urged the cabinet to stop providing medical support indiscriminately, the issue was dropped,” he added.

The Health Ministry is preparing a procedure regarding the criteria on providing medical support.

Thapa alleged that the Medical Board was recommending VIPs for treatment abroad arbitrarily.