Civil society group launches hunger strike against govt decision to provide hefty perks to VIPs

A civil society group launched a 72-hour relay hunger strike in Kathmandu from Thursday morning in protest against the recent government decision to provide state facilities to former prime ministers, home ministers, chief justices and home ministers.

Representatives of Civil Society Nepal staging a 72-hour long relay hunger strike at Ratna...

Eight members of 'Nepal Nagarik Samaj', which is chaired by former government secretary Khem Raj Regmi, sat for the first round of relay hunger strike at Ratna Park. Talking to reporters, Regmi said the state perks to the VIPs were unjustifiable and that the government decision amounted to misuse of state coffer.

On July 17, the Council of Ministers had approved an ordinance with new criteria for the distribution of state facilities to the VIPs including former President and former Vice President. They will be entitled to the perks for life.

As per the government decision, former Presidents, Vice Presidents and Prime Ministers will receive Rs 50,000 as apartment rents per month (if they are not using government apartments) along with a vehicle worth Rs 5 million, fuel and Rs 50,000 vehicle maintenance cost annually.

They will also get money to operate private secretariats headed by a government section officer. Likewise, the ex President and ex Vice President will get Rs 40,000 annually for hospitality while the ex-PM, ex Chief Justice and Ex CJ will get Rs 40,000 each.

There are 17 former home ministers and 17 chief justices who will also receive the state largesse that includes vehicle worth Rs 3.5 million, fuel and Rs 30,000 for vehicle maintenance per year. However, they will not be entitled to rents or government apartments.

President Ram Baran Yadav has already approved the ordinance on distribution of state perks to the VIPs. nepalnews.com