KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 21
The House of Representatives meeting today passed two ordinances despite the obstruction by the major opposition party CPN (UML).
The 'Ordinance to Amend Some Acts Against Sexual Violence-2078' and the 'Ordinance to Amend Some Acts Related to Criminal Offenses and Criminal Procedure-2078' were both passed with a majority of votes at the meeting.
Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Dilendra Prasad Badu presented the proposal separately, seeking the approval of both ordinances. The meeting, before approving both ordinances, had rejected with a majority the protest note from Prem Suwal of Nepal Workers and Peasants Party.
The CPN (UML), continued its obstruction in the HoR meeting today as well with the UML lawmakers stalling the session at the outset chanting slogans and picketing the rostrum of the assembly hall.
The main opposition party has been obstructing the meeting of the Lower House of the Federal Parliament since its earlier session, citing the Speaker failed to issue a notice of action against 14 of its parliamentarians.
Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota repeatedly urged the protesting opposition party MPs to cooperate with him in the conduct of parliament business, pointing out that an issue that is being considered by the court cannot be debated in the house, according to House of Representatives Regulations.
The Speaker decided to go ahead with the agenda of the meeting as the main opposition party lawmakers continued the slogan chanting and picketing despite his repeated requests to allow the parliament to take up its business.
The next HoR meeting has been scheduled for 1:00 pm on December 22.
