The International Relations and Human Rights Committee of Parliament on Tuesday instructed the government not to host the International Indian Film Academy awards in Nepal.

A meeting of the House panel, according to a lawmaker, decided to instruct the government to cancel the event after going through a proposal presented by Wizcraft International Entertainment, the organiser of the event, which it said does not support Nepal’s tourism.

“We went through agreement papers and concluded that the conditions put forth by the Indian private company were against our interest,” said Pabitra Niraula, chairman of the committee. “Nepal government does not have any say over how the event gets hosted.”

The draft proposal, according to the committee decision, is “against Nepal’s sovereignty, independence and prestige,” and in totality, against Nepali cultural and national interest.

Committee members, including Madhav Kumar Nepal, Bhim Rawal and Agni Sapkota, were against holding the event in Kathmandu.

“During our discussion with the Nepal Tourism Board, we learned that it was investing over Rs500 million for the awards event,” said Niraula. “But there are other unaccounted expenses, which would take total spending to over a billion rupees. And we found that concerning.”

The government’s plan to host the Bollywood awards show in August has drawn widespread criticism.

The lawmaker said the amount can be spent in other areas that are in dire need of funding.

“If the Indian party is ready to amend the draft proposal to fit Nepal’s interest, we can still consider hosting the event,” said Niraula.

Meanwhile, speaking at a function in the Capital, senior ruling party leader Madhav Kumar Nepal, one of the committee members, said hosting an Indian film awards function at government’s money was not a good idea.

“Those involved in the Nepali film industry are dismayed at the decision. It is good to promote tourism, but we should be mindful while taking such decisions, as we cannot afford to do anything that goes against the country’s interest,” said Nepal.

Speaking at another House panel meeting on Tuesday, Minister for Communications and Information Technology Minister Gokul Baskota defended the government’s decision to host the IIFA awards in Kathmandu, saying Nepal government is not paying a single penny for the event.