Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker Khagendra Karna has said parliamentary debates should focus on issues of public concern such as development, employment, good governance and reducing corruption rather than on individuals.
Speaking at the meeting of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, Karna expressed dissatisfaction with comments focusing on personal matters such as the clothes and sunglasses worn by Prime Minister Balendra Shah.
He urged lawmakers to focus on ensuring the implementation of government programs in their constituencies and to debate policies needed to create employment rather than dwelling on personal issues.
“Honorable members with good intentions to build the country should debate the implementation of programs allocated to their constituencies, rather than debating black glasses or black coats,” Karna said. “Debate what the government needs to do to create employment.”
Karna also said the government had demonstrated its commitment to national development by adopting a policy of distributing development budgets equally among all 165 electoral constituencies.
“In previous governments, whenever the budget was presented, there would be debates in the House about why development budgets went only to the constituencies of top leaders of the ruling parties and why there was nothing for my constituency,” Karna said. “What was even more astonishing was that lawmakers from the ruling party itself would accuse ministers of being dishonest in budget allocation.”
Such criticisms have now subsided, he claimed.
Karna also said parliament should hold serious discussions on legislation needed to address irregularities and reduce corruption at the local level.
Claiming that the government was steering the country toward sustainable development through good governance, Karna said parliamentary discussions should be connected to the real problems facing the people.
“The government has directed the country toward sustainable development through good governance. Debates should be agenda-centered, but they are becoming personality-centered,” he said.
