The Hon. Lal Premanath

¶ 01 Madam Presiding Member, I move:

¶ 02 “Whereas buildings have been constructed across the country under the name of ‘development proposals’ using foreign aid, foreign loans, or funds of the Central Government and local authorities; and whereas many such buildings have been constructed but not put to any use; this Parliament urges the Government to take appropriate decisions to bring such buildings to a condition suitable for public use.”

¶ 03 This is a vital and timely Private Member’s Motion. In the past, for political image-building, many foundations were laid and structures half-built, wasting public funds. In a time of severe economic crisis, many projects stand abandoned. These were funded by foreign aid/loans or central/local funds, launched with much fanfare and publicity, but halted midway, now idle and deteriorating—some in remote, unused areas—posing safety risks. These are the people’s funds; the economic and social damage is significant.

¶ 04 Some are partially built hospitals where people lack adequate facilities; some are half-built schools endangering children; others are offices, community halls, sports grounds and more—unused for years—while government agencies rent private premises at great expense. Abandoned structures also harm communities: breeding grounds for mosquitoes, dumping sites, or havens for anti-social activity.

¶ 05 We should see these as latent assets. By reviving them for public use, we can recover value, avoiding further wastage. With relatively smaller additional funds, we could complete them for productive use, saving the time and cost of new builds, and serving community needs—hospitals, schools, community centres for cultural/social activities and village committees, small enterprise hubs, training centres, storage for agriculture, or small industrial workspaces—revitalizing local economies and jobs. This also reduces land pressure for new builds and environmental impacts.

¶ 06 I propose: conduct a comprehensive census to identify all such buildings nationwide and prepare a detailed report on their status. Appoint a multidisciplinary expert committee—engineers, architects, economists, social scientists—to assess structural condition, required rehabilitation, and best reuses, with community input via Divisional Secretariats and public consultations to align with local needs. Ensure transparency and stakeholder participation. Secure funding from the Budget, mobilize private investment, and where appropriate, foreign aid/loans or PPPs; reallocate from inactive state funds if possible. Implement rehabilitation with transparency and efficiency.

¶ 07 I believe all Members will support this Motion, and the Government can act accordingly. Thank you.