Fiscal Nepal
First Business News Portal in English from Nepal
KATHMANDU: In the wake of recent helicopter and airplane crashes, Members of Parliament (MPs) have called for the resignation of Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Badri Pandey, and the Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), Pradeep Adhikari. The demands were made during a meeting of the International Relations and Tourism Committee under the House of Representatives.
MPs from various parties, including the ruling alliance, expressed their concerns and insisted that both Minister Pandey and DG Adhikari should take moral responsibility for the tragic incidents. The MPs argued that the recent crashes, occurring within a span of two weeks, highlighted serious shortcomings in the management and oversight of Nepal’s aviation sector.
Nepali Congress (NC) MP Rajendra Bajagain, who participated in the committee meeting as an invited member, stated that the resignation of both Pandey and Adhikari was necessary in light of the accidents. He emphasized the need for accountability at the highest levels of government to restore public confidence in the safety of Nepal’s aviation industry.
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) MP Shishir Khanal pointed out that even if human error was involved in the accidents, the regulatory body must accept responsibility for its failures. He underscored the importance of a strong and vigilant regulatory framework to prevent such tragedies.
Similarly, Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) MP Dhawal Shamsher Rana referenced historical precedents from the Panchayat regime, where ministers resigned following air accidents, suggesting that either Minister Pandey or the relevant agency’s staff should step down. “Someone has to take responsibility,” he asserted.
Aam Janata Party MP Prabhu Shah criticized the government’s response, stating that repeated accidents within a short period indicate inefficiencies within the government agencies responsible for aviation safety. “Is the government here to kill people?” Shah asked, urging immediate action to prevent further tragedies.
However, CAAN Director General Pradeep Adhikari defended the agency’s role, attributing the recent Air Dynasty helicopter crash to crew weaknesses. Adhikari explained that the helicopter had entered an area with bad weather clouds, without permission under the Visual Flight Rules (VFR). He assured the committee that a detailed report would be provided by the investigation committee formed by the government.
The recent air accidents have cast a shadow over Nepal’s aviation industry, with the July 24 crash of a Saurya Airlines aircraft at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) resulting in 18 deaths. Just two weeks later, an Air Dynasty helicopter crashed in Surya Chaur, Nuwakot, claiming the lives of five people. These incidents have sparked widespread concern and calls for greater accountability and stringent safety measures within the sector.
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