By Babbler

The “visit visa” scandal is directly related to the money laundering and grey list episode as well. The USA has already blacklisted the Tribhuvan International Immigration chief, joint secretary Tirtharaj Bhattarai, and other staffers involved in human trafficking through a visit visa. They are restricted from obtaining a US visa.

The trafficking through a visit visa can also be linked with the possibility of terrorists using the TIA for their travel to Nepal and abroad. Reports state that some Indians, blacklisted by India, have travelled to foreign countries by manipulating the staffers at the immigration desk. Nepal is already included in the grey list due to suspicious money laundering activities. The visit visa episode is directly linked with the sitting Home Minister, Ramesh Leekhak and the Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba. Such a big rocket cannot be possible without the notice of the home minister. The Home Minister’s secretariat is learnt to have received five million rupees daily as commission from the visit visa setting. In this regard, international agencies should conduct an impartial investigation and also suspend those political gangs receiving commissions for trafficking Nepali citizens to foreign countries.

Be that as it may, it is sure that Nepal is not going to be removed from the grey list but there are high chances of being degraded to the blacklist in the money laundering episode.

The political leaders are seriously concerned about making money even doing immoral acts when they enjoy power. Whether it was the Bhutanese refugee scandal or the visit visa, they are involved in human trafficking, a serious crime. Oddly, when the House is stalled demanding the resignation of Home Minister Lekhak, Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba are trying to suppress the scandal giving clean chit to Lekhak.

Where is Bhushan Rana?

Reports say that Bhushan Rana, brother of PM Deuba’s wife Arzu Rana, is currently in Canada. According to reports, he took a commission in advance worth 50 million rupees from one possible candidate assuting his assignment to the post of governor. When Rana’s candidate didn’t get the governor’s post, he left for Canada without returning the cash received in advance. Was this report true? There is no clarification about the report from the concerned individuals, which compels readers to believe it.

Jhole Prime Minister

Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli has posted a photograph showing that he is a Jhole (bag carrier). Whose bag is he carrying, he has not mentioned it clearly. Viewing his activities, it is sure, he is carrying the bag of some business brokers.

The other funny thing is that he has copied Indian PM Modi’s photograph claiming that he was a Chaukidar (watchman). Oli chose to copy and paste the Chaukidar’s photograph.

Scared of Rajabadis

The republican leaders are very much scared of the momentum gained by the Rajabadis (monarchists) in the streets. When the Rajabadis successfully demonstrated around the Shanti Batika, Maitighar-Bijuli Bazar area, the republicans in the government were seriously scared and thus declared most of the areas as prohibited zones by allowing the Rajabadi the space in Sifal. On Tuesday, the Rajabadis demonstrated their strength at Sifal.

With the scared mentality, the leaders in the government have attempted to suppress the agitations by using excessive power. On Sunday, the security personnel attempted to humiliate former home minister and deputy prime minister Kamal Thapa. Around half a dozen agitators were arrested violating the rights guaranteed by the existing constitution.         

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

 According to Article 17 (k) of the Constitution of 2072, "the freedom to assemble peacefully without arms" is a fundamental right of citizens. However, attempts are being made to impose restrictions on its practice. On the other hand, a group of people are demonstrating with swords and knives in the name of the ruling party.

Dhruba H. Adhikary

Those who belittle, insult, and misinterpret the divine teachings of the nation-builder His Majesty King Prithvi Narayan Shah are hypocrites.

Kamal Thapa

Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chairman KP Oli's increasingly derogatory comments about the king, the royal family, the history of the monarchy, and the beliefs of monarchists are making the public's inclination and presence on the streets in favor of the agenda for change more intense. For this, he deserves a lot of thanks.

Sharad Raj Pathak

A few years ago, when the issue of the visit visa was presented with evidence to the Police Headquarters, Ministry of Home Affairs, I know that the then Home Minister of the Nepali Congress intimidated and removed the then DIG of the airport.

Hemanta Mall

Nepali Congress should not back K.P. Oli, who is insulting King Prithvi Narayan Shah.

Shankar Bhandari

For a country like Nepal with such geopolitics, an advanced system is the constitutional monarchy, directly elected executive prime minister, and Hindu nation.

Sujit K.C.

After Ramchandra Paudel became the President, a criminal jailed on a murder charge, was released after buying general amnesty, and killed 5 people. According to the Theory of Probability, from among the three crores of population, one became president, and five fell victim to brutal violence. Isn't the probability of falling into violence through that system five times greater than becoming a president?

Roshan Shiwakoti

NATTA is dissatisfied with VAT not being removed from international airfares. Among those air services operating here, some have paid, while others have not. Those who don't pay have written that they won't pay, yet the government cannot take action. What is the practice in other countries? Our policy is always ambiguous.

Hemanta Arjyal

In the past, when budgets were allocated to kings/royal families, they were called 'white elephants'. Now, what do they say about the size of the budget allocated to the President and Vice President? If we consider the service facilities provided to former dignitaries, it is as if we are feeding many white elephants. The 'loot-tantra' under the name of 'republic' must come to an end!

Mohan Kumar Shrestha

There doesn't seem to be any reason to invest in Nepal. Investment is like water—it always flows downhill. Similarly, investment always flows to those countries where investment-related laws are simple, transparent, and investment-friendly. This means easy company registration, no unnecessary hassles from government officials, a clear tax system with low taxes, and the ability to easily send profits abroad. Based on all these factors, Nepal falls short compared to most developing countries. Specifically, Nepal's company-related regulations and investment policies are much less investment-friendly compared to India and China. In such a situation, who would want to invest in Nepal?

Rudra Pandey

(Excerpted and translated by Sushma Shrestha)