Kathmandu, September 4
CPN-UML chair and former prime minister KP Sharma Oli has said providing immediate relief directly to flood and landslide victims is his party’s top priority, arguing that government procedures can delay assistance reaching those affected.
Speaking on Friday while handing over relief materials collected by the party for flood victims in Rasuwa at the UML central office in Chyasal, Lalitpur, Oli said the party had chosen to deliver assistance directly to victims rather than relying solely on government funds.
“We have not said that we will not deposit money into the government fund. But considering that there can be delays in getting money deposited into the government fund to the victims on time, we have prioritised delivering relief directly into the hands of victims,” Oli said.
He said the party could also contribute to the government’s relief fund after immediate rescue and relief operations were completed, depending on the situation.
According to Oli, the UML has been collecting and distributing relief using its own resources and mobilising party members. The party had initially set a target of distributing cash and relief materials worth around Rs120 million, but the total value of assistance would exceed that amount, he said.
Oli criticises AI-generated images
Oli also criticised the use of artificial intelligence-generated images during the disaster, saying some people were attempting to gain popularity by creating artificial scenes and portraying themselves as public servants.
“At a time when thousands of lives have been lost and a large proportion of infrastructure has been destroyed, we should be focused on providing maximum service to the victims,” he said. “This is not the time to create artificial photographs and publicise them to portray oneself as a servant of the people.”
He urged individuals and organisations to focus on service rather than publicity, saying all available attention and resources should be directed towards rescue, relief and rehabilitation.
Oli questions ‘Green Army’
Oli also raised serious questions about the activities, training and financial sources of a group known as the ‘Green Army’, asking the government to clarify its identity and purpose.
Speaking during the same relief handover programme, Oli disputed the group’s claims that it had provided relief during the 2015 earthquake and the Covid-19 pandemic.
He also questioned the use of uniforms resembling those worn by the Nepali Army, with some members reportedly wearing rank insignia.
“This organisation did not exist in 2015, nor was it there during Covid. When floods hit Rasuwa last year or during other political developments in the country, no personnel from this group were seen in these uniforms,” Oli said.
“The army provides periodic training to NCC students, but how and through what process did this group receive training? Who paid for it? Why has my name been linked to it? There appears to be something suspicious here,” he said.
Oli questioned the source of funds for the boots, uniforms and mobilisation of the group, which is claimed to have around 70,000 members.
He called on the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Home Affairs, Nepali Army and Armed Police Force to provide the public with clear information about the group and its operations.
Responding to claims that the organisation was registered while he was prime minister, Oli said registering an organisation was not the responsibility of the prime minister but was handled through separate legal provisions and government offices.
He suggested that the mobilisation of opaque groups such as the ‘Green Army’ could pose challenges to security and legal norms.
‘It is unfortunate that the Army is being dragged into controversy’
Oli said it was unfortunate that the Nepali Army, which he described as a prestigious institution, had been drawn into political controversy.
He said the Army should remain a trusted and credible institution responsible for national security and should always remain above controversy.
“The Nepali Army is an institution that should never be dragged into political controversy. But efforts have been made to drag it into controversy since last year,” Oli said. “As the Army is a source of hope and trust for the Nepali people, it is appropriate for the institution to remain clean and operate within its boundaries.”
Oli also questioned the timing and effectiveness of the Army’s recent mobilisation in disaster management, saying it was unclear whether its presence in the name of rescue and relief had been effective.
He nevertheless praised the contributions made by the Nepali Army and Nepal Police to rescue and relief operations.
Oli said the immediate priority should remain relief and rehabilitation. He also said work was underway through provincial governments to replace suspension bridges with permanent footbridges in various locations and reopen roads that had been blocked by the disaster.
