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INSEC Karnali Province Office organized a discussion program in Birendranagar on the “Study Report on the Impact of Covid-19.” Various stakeholders participated in the program and shared their perspectives on the subject.

Ghanshyam Bhandari, Chairperson of the Social Development Committee of the Karnali Province Assembly, emphasized the crucial role played by people’s representatives during the Covid-19 pandemic and urged everyone not to overlook their contributions. He stressed that any analysis of the impact of the pandemic would be incomplete without acknowledging the efforts of public representatives.

Chairperson Bhandari highlighted the importance of collaboration between civil society organizations, people’s representatives, and the public in combatting the pandemic. He credited this cooperation, along with the resilience and vigilance of the Nepali people, for saving numerous lives in Nepal.

Mohanmaya Dhakal, the Mayor of Birendranagar Municipality, urged individuals to work honestly and increase cooperation instead of engaging in accusations of bribery towards non-governmental organizations and government agencies. She emphasized the need for collective efforts for the betterment of the country.

Shubhachchya Khadka, Head of Management at INSEC Central Office, drew attention to the increased violations of human rights by government security agencies under the guise of Covid-19 control activities. She highlighted the role of civil society organizations, including INSEC, in advocating for the protection of human rights during such challenging times.

Advocate Pitambar Dhakal, a civil society leader, expressed concerns about the lack of transparency in the utilization of funds at the local level and the obstruction faced by civil society organizations in their rescue and relief work during the pandemic.

Man Bahadur Karki, Human Rights Officer at the National Human Rights Commission, Karnali Province Office, assured that the commission takes the increased security risks faced by human rights defenders seriously. He pledged to coordinate with security authorities promptly upon receiving relevant information.

Tarak Dhital, Chairperson of the Public Program on the Study of the Impact of Covid-19, shared findings from their study, which revealed discrimination, inequality, deprivation, and mistreatment faced by women and Dalits. He criticized the lack of attention given to these marginalized groups by policymakers, even when their concerns were collected through citizen sentiment surveys and fact-checking methods.

Dhital emphasized that budget resources and access to non-governmental organizations led by Dalits and women have been limited both before and after the Covid-19 period. He suggested that utilizing the expertise, time, and resources of civil society effectively can foster trust and collaboration with local governments.

During the open discussion following the report presentation, participants expressed theirdissatisfaction with the perception of civil society organizations as competitors by all three levels of government. They criticized the imposition of various taxes, favoritism in budget allocation, and the lack of clarity in policy programs targeting specific communities.

Amar Sunar