Industry Minister discusses amendment to bill with chief whips of major parties

Kathmandu, July 1: Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Damodar Bhandari, today a meeting with chief whips of three major political parties.

The meeting was focused on amendments in regard to the Bill to Amend Some of Nepal Acts-2081 BS, aiming to further enable an investment atmosphere.

In the meeting held at the Ministry, Nepali Congress Chief Whip Ramesh Lekhak, CPN (UML)’s Mahesh Bartaula, and CPN (Maoist Centre)’s Hitraj Pandey were present.

On the occasion, the Minister urged the chief whips to facilitate for the smooth endorsement of the Bill by the parliament. He stressed that support and cooperation from all political parties are necessary to enable an investment-friendly atmosphere.

In response, Lekhak said he would sit for those party lawmakers who have registered the amendment proposals, pledging to contribute to enabling the investment environment. He said, however, some points in the Bill are required to be amended.

Bartaula underlined the need for collective efforts to endorse the Bill, adding that some of the Bill’s ‘complex’ provisions should be amended.

In view of Pandey, it was good to register the amendment proposals, but only the most needed issues be addressed bearing in mind a limited time to proceed with the Bill.

Provisions concerning the forest, parks, buffer zone, and land ceiling were highlighted for the amendment. Secretaries from the ministries concerned were also present in the meeting.