KATHMANDU, JANUARY 3
The CPN-Maoist Centre, the chief opposition party, has expressed dissatisfaction over the government's inordinate delay in beginning the winter session of Parliament.
At a press briefing on the decisions made during the standing committee meeting held at the CPN-MC's central office in Parisdanda on Friday, spokesperson Agni Prasad Sapkota expressed displeasure with the government's plans.
"The Parliamentary session has been postponed excessively. I was punctual in calling the sessions when I was the speaker. It's a completely worrisome situation, and it is already January 3rd," he stated.
The monsoon session of the Federal Parliament ended on September 16. The winter session has traditionally begun in mid-December, but it has been delayed this year. Parliamentary officials acknowledged the delay, noting that the session's announcement is contingent on a Cabinet decision, which is still pending.
The Constitution requires that no more than six months elapse between two sessions of Parliament.
Article 93 of the Constitution requires the President to convene a session to consider the government's recommendation, ensuring legislative continuity.
"The interval between the two consecutive sessions shall not exceed six months," reads the article 93 constitution of Nepal.
The delay in holding the winter session, combined with the issuance of an ordinance, has sparked widespread criticism.
"The government's intention does not seem right. It is moving forward by bypassing the Parliament and bringing ordinances. These ordinances are also aimed at splitting the parties. The government's actions are posing a serious threat to democracy," Sapkota added.
The government issued the ordinance while parliament was not in session to address problems in the cooperative sector, according to reports.
President Ramchandra Paudel on December 29 authenticated a cooperative-related ordinance. On the government's recommendation, President Paudel issued the "Ordinance to Amend Some Nepal Acts Related to Cooperatives, 2024."
Meanwhile, the government is preparing to call the winter session of the Parliament from the second week of January, according to reports.
The ruling parties-the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML-have given priority to passing the maximum number of bills from the next session.
Shyam Kumar Ghimire, NC Chief Whip at the House of Representatives, stated that his party intends to pass as many bills as possible during the next session of Parliament.
At present, there are 18 bills in the Lower House, including 15 bills under consideration of the House Committees. Four bills are under consideration of the thematic committees of the National Assembly, the upper House of Parliament.
Some urgent bills being considered by Parliament include the Education Bill, the Federal Civil Bill, the Anti-Corruption Bill and the Bill to Amend the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA).
Earlier, Minister of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Ajay Chaurasiya told THT that the government would introduce some new bills proposing some timely changes in the criminal and civil laws.
