Kathmandu, October 5
The Prachanda government has responded to one of Dr Govinda KC’s demands. It said on Wednesday that tabling an impeachment motion in the Parliament against Lok Man Singh Karki, chief commissioner, Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority, is beyond its jurisdiction.
With Dr KC’s health worsening, his supporters are staging a sit-in at Prime Minister’s Official Residence in Baluwatar in a bid to make the government address his demands. Residents at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital have been staging a partial strike, performing surgeries and handling emergency cases only.
The government has said the process of implementing agreements reached with Dr KC in course of his previous fasts is currently underway. According to Education Minister Dhani Ram Poudel, the government held talks with members of Solidarity for Dr KC till late night on Tuesday. Preparations are afoot to hold another round of talks on Wednesday.
As per the plan, a government representative will meet Dr KC and update his about progress in the implementation of the said deals.
Whatever we (government) have done has created an environment of trust, Poudel said, adding: We want Dr KC to put doubts about our intention to rest and postpone the hunger strike.
Poudel said the government is ready to make a written commitment or reach an understanding on this issue.
But during Tuesday’s talks, Dr KC’s representatives sought initiation of a process for tabling an impeachment motion against Karki and early passage of Medical Education Act.
Minister Poudel said: The government cannot make a decision on tabling an impeachment motion against someone. We have clearly said this is something that we cannot do.
Poudel, also a leader of the CPN-Maoist Centre, said further: We cannot even tell some lawmaker to support the impeachment motion.
As per Parliament Regulations, three lawmakers can write to the Impeachment Recommendation Committee seeking impeachment motion against someone. The committee decides whether or not to push the process forward. After lawmakers sign on the proposal, one-fourth of the total number of lawmakers can register an impeachment motion. For endorsement of the motion, two-thirds of the total lawmakers should approve the same.
Speaker Onsari Gharti has proposed forming the recommendation committee, but political parties are yet to agree on the same.
Meanwhile, a search for three lawmakers willing to write to the committee seeking impeachment motion against Karki continues.
Minister Poudel said: The Parliament has passed Medical Education Regulation and it is now with the committee concerned. The committee has the right to discuss the regulation by taking adequate time. We have said the government cannot intervene in this case.
Meanwhile, Dr KC has refused to speak to the media. He appears bent on continuing with the strike despite all sorts of pressure, unless and until the government addresses his demands.
