‘There is no room to question government’s role in disaster’: Rabi Lamichhane

KATHMANDU: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane has said that the government has effectively mobilized the state machinery for rescue, treatment and relief during the time of disaster.

Speaking at the meeting of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Lamichhane said that the situation of disaster should not be seen from the traditional perspective of the ruling and opposition parties. He said that the government has mobilized its entire state machinery since the beginning of the disaster and has been carrying out rescue, treatment and relief works.

Lamichhane claimed that thousands of security personnel have been mobilized in the affected areas in the initial hours of the disaster and that air rescue has also been systematically conducted.

He said, “I do not see the role of the government in this disaster being seen through the traditional prism of the ruling and opposition parties. In the first hours of the disaster, the government mobilized its entire state machinery and started rescue, treatment and relief work. Thousands of security personnel were immediately deployed in the affected areas. It can be said with facts that such a large and systematic air rescue operation has rarely taken place before. ’

Lamichhane said that there is no room to question the government’s promptness in the rescue and treatment of the injured, temporary settlement for the displaced families and food management. He said that the state has taken the responsibility of immediate needs and security by keeping the people who have lost their homes, property and basic means of life due to the disaster in the holding center.

“I do not see room to question the government’s readiness to rescue and treat the injured, temporary accommodation for the displaced families, and provide food,” he said. “The state has taken full responsibility for the immediate needs and safety of the people who have lost their homes, property, and even the basic means of life by keeping them in holding centers.” ’

Lamichhane said that rescue and relief workers have reached the affected people despite the lack of access to road and transportation in some affected areas and adverse weather. He said that rescue and relief work has been carried out amidst difficult conditions.

Lamichhane said that the local administration, people’s representatives and employees of the local level have also played important role in dealing with the disaster.

He said, “In some places, there is no road, the weather is not favorable, but in the midst of all these difficulties, the rescue and relief workers have reached the affected people. Similarly, the local administration, people’s representatives and employees of the local level have played an important role in dealing with this disaster.” ’

He said that coordination among all the state agencies during the disaster and providing immediate relief and rescue to the affected people is the main issue. Lamichhane said that the assessment of disaster should be done rising above political prejudices and prejudices.