Kathmandu, September 24
Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) chief whip Khushbu Oli has drawn the government’s attention to the problems faced by Nepali citizens living in Russia.
Speaking during a special session of the House of Representatives on Thursday, Oli called for immediate policy initiatives on issues including bilateral banking arrangements with Russia, no-objection certificates (NOCs) for scholarship students, recognition of medical education and labour approvals.
Oli identified the difficulty Nepalis in Russia face in legally sending their earnings back to Nepal as one of the most serious problems.
She said Russian banks have been affected by restrictions on the international financial system following the Russia-Ukraine war, forcing Nepali citizens to carry cash back to Nepal.
She warned that the situation could encourage informal money transfer channels such as hundi and urged Nepal Rastra Bank to explore alternative mechanisms, similar to the banking arrangements Nepal has with India.
Raising concerns over education, Oli said some Nepali students who have received full scholarships from the Russian government were at risk of losing their opportunities because they were unable to obtain NOCs.
She also called for the Nepal Medical Council and the Medical Education Commission to prepare an “equivalent matrix” to address difficulties related to the registration and internships of doctors who have completed medical education in Russia.
On labour approvals, Oli said the government’s restriction on employment in the Russian military sector was appropriate, but suggested that labour approvals for non-military sectors should be reopened gradually.
