Kathmandu, April 8:

The parliament today formed a committee to draft the “Regulations of the legilature-parliament’s women group” by passing a proposal tabled by lawmaker Asta Laxmi Shakya.

Lawmaker Hirdaya Ram Thani supported Shakya’s proposal.

The House also sent the “Foreign Employment (third amendment) Bill, 2063, to the committees concerned for clause-wise discussion.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sahana Pradhan, on behalf of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, apprised the members of parliament on Nepal’s participation in the 14th SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) Summit in New Delhi.

Earlier, speaking in the zero hour and special-hour of the House, women lamakers of the CPN-Maoists condemned the police lathi-charge on protesters demonstrating against the Miss Nepal beauty pageant at New Baneshwor yesterday.

Lawmaker Birodh Khatiwada also criticised the lathi-charge. “Protests against beauty contests may be held, but the resignation of the information minister, who allowed the television channels to broadcast the contest live, should have been sought,” he said.

Without mentioning the minister’s name, Khatiwada said the minister was “still in honeymoon” and should be pardoned.

He also said that the government should clarify whether constituent assembly elections will be held in June. “No dual statements are acceptable, it should me made certain. Maoists have abducted Rabindra Sunar in Manahari of Makawanpur district. In such a context, who can ensure free and fair election?” asked Khatiwada.

Lawmakers including Maoist MP, Lekh Raj Bhatta, criticised “Indian encroachment” in Kanchanpur and Kailalai during a joint border demarcation process.

Maoist lawmaker Khim Lal Devkota also drew the parliament’s attention on “corruption in judiciary.”

Other lawmakers raised concern about the shortage of drinking water and cooking gas. Lawmaker Kamala Pant asked Prachanda through the Speaker to clarify what he meant by a “long-term people’s war?”