Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Government Spokesperson and Minister for Education and Sports Sasmit Pokharel has said that Prime Minister Balendra Shah is prepared to return to parliament and answer questions regarding the Nepal-India border dispute if necessary.
Pokharel made the clarification while briefing the media on decisions taken by the cabinet meeting held on Tuesday.
Speaking on the Nepal-India border dispute in parliament on Sunday, Shah had said: “Not only India, but Nepal has also encroached on India’s territory.”
According to Pokharel, the Prime Minister is fully accountable to Parliament and is ready to appear before the House again if required. “The Prime Minister is accountable to Parliament. He was present in the House the other day and answered questions. If necessary, he will return to Parliament and respond to queries raised by lawmakers,” Pokharel said.
He added that the government’s position is to resolve border disputes through diplomatic dialogue and existing bilateral mechanisms.
“There are various mechanisms already in place between the two countries to resolve border disputes. The Prime Minister has already explained how the issue should be settled. Nepal has sent a diplomatic note, and India has also sent one,” Pokharel said.”The Prime Minister has stated that the two countries should sit together and resolve all outstanding border disputes.”
Meanwhile, the cabinet approved an agreement related to the implementation of the Montreal Protocol under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) concerning the management and reduction of substances that deplete the ozone layer.
Pokharel said the decision is expected to strengthen the implementation of Nepal’s international obligations on ozone-layer protection.
The cabinet also approved the recommendation to promote Armed Police Force (APF) Nepal Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Anjani Kumar Pokharel to the rank of Additional Inspector General (AIG).
Likewise, the cabinet extended by 45 days the mandate of a committee formed to study and make recommendations on issues concerning the security apparatus mentioned in the report of the commission investigating the incidents of September 8 and 9 last year.
Similarly, the cabinet appointed Balbhadra Bastola of Kaski as the Chairperson of the Land Problem Resolution Commission under the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives, Federal Affairs and General Administration. Amir Prasad Neupane of Kathmandu, Padmini Soti of Lamjung and Dr Rehana Shrestha of Kathmandu have been appointed as members in the committee.
