Earlier, king used to prorogue the session

Kathmandu, June 17:

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, on the recommendation of the Speaker, today prorogued the first session of parliament as per the Article 51 (2) of the Interim Constitution.

This is the first time in history that a Prime Minister has prorogued the parliament’s session. Earlier, the king used to prorogue it.

The first session of the parliament convened on January 15, 2007 and had 154 working days with 54 meetings. “The first session of the parliament is adjourned to be prorogued today at 9:00 pm,” declared Speaker Subas Nembang, as he read the letter from the Office of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers. The parliamentary committees, however, will keep working if needed.

Of the total 19 Bills tabled at the parliament, six have been passed. Other 20 Bills including the 10 that were transferred to the parliament from the restored HoR are under consideration of various parliamentary committees.

The next session of the House will be the budget session and would focus on the appropriation bill, while it would also pass other pending bills. The parliament removed Rule 144 (2) and (3) of the parliament Regulation to facilitate the process of passing the appropriation bill.

The meeting of the parliament today also passed the names of lawmakers to become the members of six parliamentary special committees.

Parliamentary Hearing Special Committee, and State Restructure related Special Committee have 28 members each; Constituent Assembly Election Management Monitoring Special Committee, Peace Agreement Implementation Monitoring Special Committee, Economic and Social Transformation related Special Committee, and Conflict Victim Rehabilitation and Relief Mobilisation Monitoring Special Committee have 29 members each.

The meeting also formed a parliamentary panel to probe the murder of MP Krishna Charan Shrestha. It is headed by NC-D chief whip, Tek Bahadur Chokhyal. The parliament also passed the Parliament Regulations (First Amendment).

The new amendment has provision for the opposition leader of the parliament, as well as the provision that gives rights to one-fourth of the total members of the parliament to recommend the PM for convening the House session. The PM would convene the session after 15 days of receiving such a recommendation. It has also given rights to one-fourth of the total members of the House to bring no-confidence motion against the PM by informing in writing to the General Secretary or Secretary of the parliament prior to seven days of bringing such a proposal.