Dr KC, govt talks to be held today

KATHMANDU, Apr 1: Talks between agitating DR Govinda KC and government talks team under the mediation of civil society is scheduled to take place this afternoon.

The government, granting ‘additional mandate’ has assigned the team of Chief Secretary Lila Mani Poudel and National Planning Commission Vice Chairman Govinda Pokharel to hold dialogue with Dr KC.

Law Minister Narhari Acharya said the government is ready to form a probe panel under the chairmanship of former appellate court justice to take action against Birat and Dev Daha Medical College that were granted affiliation by the Kathmandu University and investigate the demand of dismissal of officials involved in the process. He said that the government will also make alternative arrangements for the students of the medical colleges.

Minister Acharya said that preparations are underway to immediately send a caution letter to the officials whose dismissal has been demanded.

Likewise, the Law Minister also said that the government is ready to draft a bill that would immediately scrap the affiliation of the colleges who fail to show infrastructure that were confirmed during the time of affiliation. He further said that the government is ready to operate governmental medical colleges in all the five development regions starting immediate operation of government-rum medical colleges in Far-Western and Mid-Western region.

“We also don’t want situation where one has to sit in hunger-strike time and again,” Minister Acharya said. However, the government hasn’t tabled a solid proposal regarding Dr KC’s demand of action or resignation against the governmental officials.