Chairman of the main opposition CPN-UML  KP Oli has urged Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba to take up the matters of national interest, including recent inundations in the Tarai, energy development, 1950 Peace and Friendship Treaty, border river dams and extradition treaty, during his five-day India visit beginning Wednesday.

Speaking during a special hour in the Legislature-Parliament on the eve of PM’s visit, Oli, who was absent in a meeting called by Deuba at Baluwatar on Saturday, said that the PM needs to speak in Parliament and brief about the reasons behind the visit. 

“Nepali people need to know what the government is doing and what proposal it is making to seek permanent solutions to recurring problems of floods and inundations in the Tarai,” he demanded.

“India has constructed dams and embankments along the border without Nepal’s permission which is against the international laws,” Oli said, adding, “I want to draw the attention of the government and the PM that Nepal should seriously take up the issues, including floods and inundations in the bordering areas, during the visit.”

Nearly 150 people have lost their lives in floods and inundations in the southern plains, leaving tens of thousands homeless. 

Stating that many of the earthquake survivors are still taking shelter in temporary camps more than two years after the disaster, Oli demanded that the government table a bill related to the disaster management at Parliament.

The UML leader also called on the PM to press India for a review of the unequal bilateral treaties and agreements.  

Recalling his visit to India as the head of government in February 2016, he said, “At the time, we heard a lot of discussion about border railways which was not appropriate.” 

“A bilateral energy policy unveiled by India was not in the interest of Nepal and would contribute nothing to the promotion of Nepal’s energy sector,” he said, pointing out that “it only promotes buying energy produced by Indian investors in Nepal”. 

He also urged the PM to raise the issue of Indian consulate office in Biratnagar which was set up without any prior approval from Nepal. Nepal allowed India to set up a temporary camp in the aftermath of 2008 Koshi floods to facilitate Nepali vehicles cross the border via India after some sections of the Eastwest Highway were damaged by the disaster. Later, India declined to remove the camp, and instead shifted it to Biratnagar and operating as a consulate office. 

“Such kind of forceful act does not apply to any neighbours that undermines the sovereignty of another neighbour. Such decision should be corrected,” Oli said.

Oli was followed by a host of other parliamentarians in drawing PM Deuba’s attention towards the need to holding serious discussion with the Indian side.