Ravi Lamichhane Proposes Opening Singha Durbar to All, Balen Enforces Stricter Entry Rules

Rastriya Swatantra Samajbadi Party (Raswapa) Chairman Ravi Lamichhane proposed opening Singha Durbar to everyone in Jestha 2081 (May-June 2024). However, the government led by Prime Minister Balen Shah has tightened entry regulations, barring access for journalists and legal professionals. Both the Nepal Bar Association and the Federation of Nepali Journalists have expressed opposition to these restrictions and are calling for easier access. (25 Chaitra, Kathmandu)

When he was Home Minister, Ravi Lamichhane had put forward a proposal to open Singha Durbar to all. He stated, “No one should need acquaintance to enter Singha Durbar. The practice of granting passes only to those known or allowing entry only through personal contacts is being ended.” Despite the announcement made in Jestha 2081, the policy has not been implemented and instances of blocking easy access using various excuses have been observed.

On Wednesday, CPN-UML lawmaker Suhang Nembang visited the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers to voice dissatisfaction with the new entry regulations at Singha Durbar. He demanded the removal of restrictions imposed on legal professionals’ access. On Tuesday, the Administrative Court ordered that legal professionals must obtain permission via a citizen app before entry. Previously, they could enter by presenting identity cards issued by the Nepal Bar Council and Nepal Bar Association.

The Nepal Bar Association issued a statement opposing these measures. In a release by General Secretary Kedar Prasad Koirala, it was stated, “The Bar Association has repeatedly verbally alerted concerned authorities about recent obstructions to legal professionals’ access to the Administrative Court within the Singha Durbar premises, but no action has been taken.” Meanwhile, Federation of Nepali Journalists President Nirmala Sharma criticized the government for denying journalists entry, calling it a violation of the constitutionally guaranteed democratic right and the public’s right to information.

Spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Hemraj Aryal, asserted, “Pass arrangements have been made for entry to the Prime Minister’s Office; this is not a matter of strictness.” Raswapa Co-spokesperson Ramesh Prasain stated there is no policy of denying access or withholding information. The Nepal Bar demands unfettered access to Singha Durbar for legal professionals based on their identity cards.

President Sharma emphasized that Singha Durbar should be open not only to journalists but to all citizens. In 2016 (2073 BS), the National Information Commission directed public bodies within Singha Durbar to facilitate straightforward and easy access to information for citizens, in accordance with the constitution and law.