Kathmandu, January 18
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli says that his government respects its agreement with medical education reform activist Dr Govinda KC, but cannot do anything to undermine the supremacy of Parliament.
It is Parliament that makes and amends laws and exercises sovereignty, no one can dictate terms, said Oli, responding to a question fielded by former health minister Gagan Thapa in the House of Representatives on Friday. The Prime Minister, who was responding to queries from lawmakers for the first time since he took charge ten months ago, added that even though his party commanded a majority in Parliament, he could not undermine the dictate laws.
“Yes the government reached an agreement, but it wasn’t a settlement. The agreement was reached keeping in view the situation at that time,” he said.
KC on January 9 started his 16th hunger strike protesting the draft of National Medical Education Bill endorsed by a sub-panel of Parliament’s Education and Health Committee. According to KC, the draft bill does not accommodate his demands as per the agreement reached earlier between the government and him. KC has demanded that the government put a moratorium on the opening of new private medical colleges for five years, without any strings attached. However, the new bill says that those colleges that have already begun their incorporation shall be allowed to provide services.
Meanwhile, Dr KC, who went on a hunger strike last Wednesday, has been admitted to TU Teaching Hospital ICU. He continues to refuse to eat or drink anything.
