KATHMANDU: The Parliament on Wednesday endorsed the Bill on Reconstruction of Earthquake Affected Structures unanimously.

(Updated)

Parliament likely to endorse reconstruction bill today with UDMF support

KATHMANDU: The Parliament meeting has begun on Wednesday afternoon to endorse the Bill on Reconstruction of Earthquake Affected Structures.

It is likely that the Bill would get endorsed today.

As soon as the meeting began, Sadbhawana Party Co-Chairman Laxman Lal Karna said the agitating United Democratic Madhesi Front would also second the Bill.

He, however, objected to the Speaker Onsari Gharti Magar's decision to let the government proceed with two bills - Bill on First Amendment of Constitution of Nepal and Bill on Reconstruction of Earthquake Affected Structures - despite the Front's objection yesterday.

Karna also told the Speaker that it was against the parliamentary norms and hence the agitating parties would boycott the House meeting today.

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On behalf of the government, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Agni Prasad Kharel had proposed to begin discussions on the Bill and his proposal was endorsed unanimously.

Taking part in the discussion, Nepali Congress lawmaker Nabindra Raj Joshi slammed the government for delaying in tabling of the Bill and formation of the National Reconstruction Authority.

Likewise, Nepal Workers and Peasants Party lawmaker Prem Suwal said all the reconstruction works should be done on time, though the Authority was not formed. He added that the Indo-Nepal border blockade should be solved at the earliest for effective reconstruction works.

Meanwhile, Suwal informed that lawmakers from his party have registered a proposal at the House to discuss the border blockade issue and urged the Speaker to put that on discussion from tomorrow.

Responding to the lawmakers' concerns, Minister Kharel said the amended Bill has addressed the issues raised by them.

He asked the lawmakers to extend their support to the Bill as it was imperative to form the Authority to carry out reconstruction works.

Meanwhile, the Environment Protection Committee of the Parliament submitted its annual report to the House today.