Kathmandu [Nepal], September 17 – Members of the National Assembly have called for efforts to make Nepal a member of BRICS saying the country should be able to participate in the grouping’s meetings in the future.
Speaking during the zero hour of the National Assembly meeting on Thursday member Urmila Aryal said Nepal should seek membership of the BRICS grouping. Another member Gomadevi Timalsina, questioned why Nepal was not invited to the BRICS meeting.
BRICS comprises 11 emerging and developing economies – Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. The grouping seeks to strengthen the voice of the Global South and promote reforms in global financial institutions.
Other lawmakers raised concerns over access to health services, flood damage and rising prices.
Jayantidevi Rai called for better maternity services in Madhesh so that pregnant women do not have to give birth on the streets. She also urged the government to provide psychosocial counseling to flood victims in Rasuwa.
Nara Bahadur Bista sought details on the extent of damage caused by the Bhotekoshi flood while Narayan Datta Mishra called for municipal-level mechanisms to determine rice purchase prices.
Lawmakers Mohammad Khalid and Yubaraj Sharma demanded measures to control rising prices of consumer goods and improve access to cooking gas.
During the urgent hour lawmakers also called for affordable and accessible maternity services and better health facilities in Madhesh. Roshni Meche raised concerns over increasing cases of violence against women and children and called for appropriate measures to address them.
