Kathmandu, January 31
Surprisingly among stakeholders concerned with good governance and financial integrity, the Pushpa Kamal Dahal headed government is preparing to build a house for President Bidya Devi Bhandari on her private land for her life after retirement.
President Bhandari will retire in March as the Election Commission has already announced the date for the next presidential elections.
“A proposal has been received on the construction of a residence on behalf of the state for the comfortable accommodation of the president after his retirement,” said an official from the Prime Minister’s Office says, “Don’t be surprised if the government makes such a decision any time soon.”
The official says that the government supports the proposal based on a message received from President Bidya Devi Bhandari herself.
The government has also handed over the accommodation facilities to Bhandari’s predecessor, Ram Baran Yadav. But, it was not a house owned by him or his family; it was a rental agreement. Now the government is preparing to build a house on the land owned by Bhandari’s family members.
A former chief justice speaking on condition of anonymity says the government can decide to grant lifetime facilities to former VIPs, but building a house on their private land is unfortunate. “This does not help the country to establish a system.”
