National Assembly forms disaster study committee, House panel passes its procedure

The National Assembly has formed a nine-member special parliamentary committee to study and monitor the disasters in the Bhotekoshi and Kaligandaki corridors. The committee was formed at Thursday's meeting on a proposal by Chairman Narayan Prasad Dahal.

The committee includes members Geeta Devkota, Ghanashyam Rijal, Somnath Portel and Pooja Chaudhary, among others, with one more member to be added later. It will study the damage caused by the flood in Bhotekoshi on Bhadra 10 and in Kaligandaki from Asoj 9 to 11.

The committee has been mandated to work with the neighboring country on disaster management and early-warning systems, and to identify risk-reduction measures in consultation with experts. It will also recommend a long-term roadmap for risk reduction.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives' special committee on the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli disaster and climate change in the Himalaya passed its internal working procedure on Thursday. Committee Chairman Ganesh Parajuli said the procedure was passed after being amended based on members' suggestions.

During the meeting, some members raised questions about provisions on confidential meetings and the authority given to the chairman to provide interpretations. Discussion on the committee's mandate, however, has been deferred to the next meeting.

Chairman Parajuli has asked parties to send names of subject-expert lawmakers to be made invited members. The committee's next meeting has been called for 3 pm on Friday.