KATHMANDU: Legislature-Parliament on Wednesday endorsed the Reconstruction Authority Bill after 235 days of the devastating earthquake that struck Nepal, killing about 9,000 people and destroying properties worth billions.

Though prepared by the erstwhile Nepali Congress-led government, the Reconstruction Authority Bill was tabled at the House yesterday only . The crucial bill was stuck at the Parliament due to differences among the three major parties — primarily between Nepali Congress and CPN-UML — over the leadership of the powerful Reconstruction Authority for over two months.

When put to vote, the bill was endorsed unanimously today. The lawmakers of Madhesi parties, however, did not take part in the voting. Expressing their support to the bill, they had walked out of the House.

The Sushil Koirala-led government had formed the National Reconstruction Authority through an ordinance in the chairmanship of the Prime Minister. Later, Govinda Raj Pokharel, who was the vice-chairman of National Planning Commission, was appointed as the CEO of powerful authority in August, despite reservations of the CPN-UML, which was a key constituent in the Koirala-led coalition government.

The Parliament's Legislation Committee had passed the Bill with some amendments last week. But the Nepali Congress obstructed the House demanding that another bill on constitution amendment also be tabled along with the one on reconstruction.

Both the parties were widely criticised for the politics over Reconstruction Authority.

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Madhesi parties walk out of House, wishing for endorsement of Reconstruction Authority Bill