Kathmandu, September 19

The government’s plan to pass the bill on reconstruction of earthquake affected structures for operating the reconstruction authority was obstructed due to dispute among Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and the main opposition Unified CPN-Maoist.

Minister for Law, Justice, Constituent Assembly and Parliamentary Affairs Narahari Acharya proposed at today’s Parliament meeting that the bill be forwarded to the concerned committee of Parliament for further discussion after sensing that UML and UCPN-M were against the bill and were preparing to vote against it, according to sources.

UML Chairman KP Oli had opposed the bill during a meeting this morning. “I don’t know what the reconstruction bill is,” Oli had told the meeting according to sources.

NC Chief Whip Chinkaji Shrestha had issued whip to NC lawmakers to pass the bill. The latter were confused when Acharya proposed that the bill be sent to the concerned committee. They expressed anger at Acharya and Shrestha for not coordinating properly.

NC lawmakers were divided during today’s voting when CA Chairman Subas Chandra Nembang put the proposal for sending the bill to the concerned committee of Parliament.

Some NC lawmakers voted against sending the proposal to the committee although it was brought by NC Minister Acharya, while many other NC lawmakers voted in support of the proposal.

Lack of coordination within Congress party created confusion. The message that the bill would be sent to the committee could not be circulated due to time constraint. “Prime Minister Sushil Koirala decided to end the House session today afternoon. It was not possible to pass the bill today at such short notice and there was a pile of amendment proposals,” said Acharya.

The CA Secretariat had received a flood of amendment proposals. Most of the 44 amendment proposals are from UML and UCPN-M lawmakers. The process of passing the Bill has been put off with today’s decision.

As PM Koirala will have to step down in a few weeks as per the provision of the new constitution, it is uncertain whether Parliament will pass the same bill during Koirala’s term.