Kathmandu, Feb 20: Stakeholders have demanded the resolution of problems facing victims of financial cooperatives and microfinances.
Referring to the incidents of many people displaced due to compound interest rates imposed by cooperatives and microfinances, they have called for the government to intervene and seek a solution soon.
They were speaking at a press meet organised by the NGO Federation of Nepal (NFN) marking its 29th annual general meeting coinciding with the World Social Forum 2024 that kicked off in Kathmandu on February 15-19. On the occasion, NFN issued a 31-point declaration.
Drawing the attention of the government to the activities of business houses enjoying tax exemption, evading taxes and grabbing public lands, the declaration has demanded the solution of the problems and action against the guilty.
It has also called for the making and the implementation of laws and regulations so as to ensure that all citizens realise the fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution. Expressing serious concerns about the migration of youths, and brain drain for want of a favourable environment due to widespread corruption, mafia, brokering, inflation inequality, etc., NFN demanded that the government seeks ways for improving the situation.
On the occasion, NFN President Ram Prasad Subedi requested the authorities concerned to immediately improve the approach of treating social organisations that are not legally recognised as income and profit earners as commercial establishments, and not to create trouble in the name of VAT and income tax while stressing the need for restructuring and making the Social Welfare Council (SWC) keep up with federalism and technology-friendly.
Stating that the provision in the Associations Registration Act 2034 allows social organisations to buy and sell movable and immovable property like individuals, he demanded that the assets of the organisations be released while not troubling them based on circulars that are against the law.
The Federation has expressed its serious objection to the fact that the SWC has created an uncomfortable environment by issuing policy guidelines contrary to the law without consulting and discussing with the stakeholders. “We strongly demand that such provisions be corrected immediately.”
Calling the attention of the government to the efforts to unilaterally impose the provision for the national and international civil organisations to get approval for monitoring the project launched through the government to government, and troubling them by creating various obstacles in the name of project approval, general agreement, and project agreement, NFN requested the resolution of the problems immediately after holding dialogue with the stakeholders.
Since it is against the law to force social organisations registered in the district administration office under the Ministry of Home Affairs to register at the local and provincial levels, the stakeholders have urged an end to the practice and the correction of the tendency of charging arbitrary fees in the name of registration.
In view of the bitter reality that Nepali people have been bearing the brunt of disasters caused by climate change, they demanded that the international community provides the Green Climate Fund to Nepal for climate justice and investment.
“We strongly request an end to the act of curtailing the freedom of expression of the citizens in the name of regulating the social network, and create an environment in which it operates in a lawful manner.”
Urging the practical implementation of the existing laws to take action against the culprits in increasing cases of violence against women, human trafficking, child trafficking, abuse of children, caste discrimination and untouchability, NFN Secretary General Arjun Bhattarai said, “We ask the government and political parties not to pass any laws that would give impunity to those guilty in serious human rights violations and crimes during the conflict and not to make any agreements to give impunity to the guilty in such serious crimes.”
