KATHMANDU: The Legislature-Parliament on Saturday has started deliberations on the government policy and programmes for the fiscal year 2017/18, unveiled by President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Thursday.

Taking part in the deliberation, CPN-UML parliamentary party deputy leader Subas Chandra Nembang expressed happiness over the resumption of the parliamentary business, adding they wish to see the policy and programmes brought by permanent government, not by a caretaker government.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal  Dahal had resigned as per the previous agreement between the ruling partners on May 24, a day before the presentation of government policy and programmes.

Ram Narayan Bidari of CPN Maoist Centre accused the main opposition party, UML, of making mockery of parliamentary system and claimed that the government policy and programmes were scientific.

Kunti Kumari Shahi of Rastriya Prajatantra Party urged all political parties to cooperate to hold the second phase of local elections and expressed her confidence that only local representatives can cater to sustainable development.

UML lawmaker Lal Babu Yadav said the policy and programmes have nothing new measures to bridge the rural-urban gaps.

Kamal Pangeni of Nepali Congress called for the main opposition party to show positive gesture to endorse the constitution amendment bill brought to widen the acceptance of the constitution.

Speaking on the occasion, lawmaker Subodh Kumar Pokharel demanded modernisation in agriculture sector and adequate availability of funds at local levels. He said that the government was successful in its campaign of 'Light Nepal'.

Ramhari Khatiwada of Nepali Congress claimed that the government policy and programmes had addressed the demands of the opposition and come on its consent, insisting on the need that all political parties should have unity regarding the implementation of the constitution.

As per the parliamentary practice, the government policy and programmes should get approval before the announcement of a new budget. The constitution has set 15th of the month of Jestha in Nepali calendar as the 'budget day'.

Fresh policies and programmes were brought in between the two rounds of local level polls at the consent of political parties, giving continuity to the existing programmes. Consequently, the Parliament held no pre-budget session this time.

A lesser number of amendment proposal to the policy and programmes have been registered this time.

Prem Suwal of Nepal Workers and Peasants Party, presenting an amendment proposal regarding the policies and programmes, demanded that policy and programmes should incorporate the issue of withdrawing the constitution amendment bill and of controlling corruption and price hike. The amendment proposal had extended gratitude to the President.

NWPP's Anuradha Thapa Magar sought the inclusion of a provision of establishing a child care center and a child park in every wards and settlement.

Durga Poudel of Rastriya Janamorch, presented an amendment proposal seeking the provision of acquisition of personal land beyond the ceiling and distributing to landless.

The Legislature-Parliament will meet at 11:00 am on May 28, tomorrow.

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