KATHMANDU: Lawmakers in the National Assembly on Monday urged the government to address a range of public concerns, including commitments to the Dalit community, road safety, inflation, gender equality, women’s employment, and public transportation during the zero hour of the House.

Padam Bahadur Pariyar questioned the government’s failure to implement its commitment under the 100-point governance reform program to apologize to the Dalit community and introduce reform measures. Manrupa Sharma objected to the use of blue color on Sajha buses, calling for the preservation of public property’s identity, while Rukmini Koirala urged effective measures to eliminate gender inequality, caste discrimination, and labor exploitation.

Raising concerns over public safety, Renu Chand and Sabitri Malla called for stronger road safety measures amid rising traffic accidents, particularly along the Karnali Highway. Bishnu Devi Pudasaini urged the government to improve pothole-ridden and unsafe roads while ensuring stricter traffic enforcement does not unnecessarily burden the public.

Meanwhile, Bishnu Kumari Sapkota called for effective programs to promote women’s self-employment, while Shreekrishna Prasad Adhikari urged stronger market monitoring to curb rising inflation. Bishnu Bahadur Bishwakarma and Krishna Bahadur Rokaya also drew the government’s attention to other contemporary issues.