Kathmandu, March 26

The Cabinet today decided that President Bidhya Devi Bhandari would address the Federal Parliament on March 29.

For the first time after parliamentary elections, President Bhandari will be addressing both the houses — the House of Representatives and the National Assembly.

Talking to the mediapersons after the Cabinet meeting held at Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s residence in Baluwatar, Minister of State for Communications, Information and Technology, Gokul Prasad Baskota said the government also appointed Kundan Aryal as PM Oli’s press adviser and Achyut Mainali as public relations adviser.

The Cabinet also decided to eliminate double taxation on house rent, offer compensation to those affected by Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Project, and provide treatment costs to those injured in bomb blasts during elections and female victims of violence, according to Baskota.

The Cabinet also decided to entitle provincial governors, members and coordinators of district coordination committees to diplomatic passport and special passport to mayors and chairpersons of rural municipalities.

The government also decided to extend the tenure of 13 colonels of Nepali Army by two years.