Kathmandu, December 2:

‘Zero Hour’ seems to have lost its charm at least among the Nepali lawmakers.

During Zero Hour in today’s House meeting, only 33 lawmakers responded when Chairman Subas Chandra Nembang called out out 86 names. Even the total attendance at the meeting was little.

A parliament secretariat official said, “More than half the CA members are found absent during the Zero Hour.”

Those who spoke criticised the government for being unable to maintain law and order in the country. They expressed their regret over the growing criminal activities in the country, especially in the Tarai region. They also condemned the government for not adjusting the price of petroleum products on par with the international market at a time when the crude oil has fallen below 50 dollars per barrel in the global market and for being unable to check the price hike.

Nilambar Acharya, Constituent Assembly member of the Nepali Congress said, “The government should address the concerns raised by lawmakers at the House seriously.”

During the Zero Hour legislators are called in an alphabetical order and are given two minutes to express their concerns. Are the Nepali legislators not concerned about what is happening around them?