Kathmandu, August 15

Education and Health Committee of the House of Representatives today started clause-wise discussion on the National Medical Education bill.

Around 70 lawmakers have registered amendment proposals on the bill at the Parliament Secretariat. “Today, we started discussion with 10 lawmakers who had registered amendment proposals on the bill,” said the committee’s Secretary Jibraj Budhathoki.

Following Dr Govinda KC’s 27-day hunger strike, the government had signed a nine-point agreement with the doctor agreeing to address his demands.  Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population Upendra Yadav and Minister of Education Giriraj Mani Pokharel, who were present in the meeting, said the committee will discuss the bill and come up with a conclusion.

Former health minister and Nepali Congress lawmaker Gagan Thapa said the bill should honour the nine-point agreement, which the government signed with Dr KC.

Nepal Communist Party (NCP) lawmaker Krishna Bhakta Pokharel said the bill had incorporated the issues raised by Dr Govinda KC.

“During today’s discussion, lawmakers justified their amendment proposals on different clauses of the bill,” Budhathoki said, adding, it will take some time to discuss all the amendments proposals registered in the Parliament Secretariat.