Kathmandu, July 28

Speaker Subas Chandra Nembang today said discussion on the appropriation bill has been deleted from the schedule many times because of the inefficiency of the government.

The discussion was deleted from today’s schedule as well after the National Planning Commission informed that details from the districts were not submitted yet.

Nembang has drawn attention of the government to the need to submit the necessary details soon claiming that delay in submitting yearly development programmes have adversely affected Parliament meetings.

Meanwhile lawmakers expressed serious concern over delay in formation of the Reconstruction Authority that was brought through ordinance before the donors’ conference.

Lawmakers also objected to the remarks of NC lawmaker Amresh Kumar Singh.

While providing suggestions to the Chairman of Constitutional-Political Dialogue and Consensus Committee of the CA Baburam Bhattarai yesterday, Singh had warned of separating the country if the constitution failed to ensure federalism with names and demarcation of Pradeshes. Ram Hari Khatiwada, Anuradha Thapa Magar and Ram Hari Subedi, besides Jwala sought action against Singh.

Witchcraft Bill endorsed

KATHMANDU: Parliament on Tuesday endorsed the Witchcraft (Crime and Punishment) Bill-2014 presented by Minister for Women, Children, and Social Welfare Nilam KC. While discussing the bill, Unified CPN-Maoist lawmaker Ram Narayan Bidari said the bill was not necessary as the existing laws were sufficient, while Prem Suwal said the bill should be improved as per dialectical materialism.

The bill has stated that culprits will be punished with a maximum of 15 years’ jail term and fined up to one lakh rupees depending upon the seriousness of the crime, besides providing compensation to the victims.