KATHMANDU: Despite registering amendment proposals to the National Medical Education Bill - recently bulldozed by the government through House of Representatives - the Nepali Congress lawmakers denied participating in the discussions and stood up in passive obstruction of the National Assembly meeting on Thursday.

However, majority of the lawmakers voted against all the amendment proposals and passed the bill through NA without favoring amendments.

Rastriya Janata Party Nepal lawmaker Brijesh Chandra Lal, who registered individual amendment, took the floor and condemned the government for defying a 'public agreement' made with the agitating surgeon Dr Govinda KC. "The government must fulfill demands of Dr KC and must abide by the terms of public agreement," Lal said.

On contrary, main opposition Nepali Congress Lawmaker Radhe Shyam Adhikari accused the government of its 'ill-intention' to push the Bill through NA, anyhow. "We have been informed of the intention of the ruling party and have decided not to participate in discussions and will continue to obstruct proceedings," Adhikari said.

Meanwhile, NA Chairperson Ganesh Prasad Timilsina allowed Minister for Education, Science and Technology Giri Raj Mani Pokhrel to uphold the Bill against amendment proposals.

Replying to lawmaker Lal,  Minister Pokhrel said that the Bill passed by the House of Representatives has incorporated acts based on earlier agreements. "I want to make it clear that the fundamental Acts are in line with agreements made by the incumbent government. Moreover, we have prepared the bill with consultations with members of the Mathema task force."

Likewise, Minister Pokhrel said that the Bill has progressive provisions - ensuring formation of medical exam board and an independent commission - that will prove fruitful in  regulating and reforming the medical education sector.

After Minister Pokhrel defended the bill, Chair Timilsina asked the lawmakers to vote for or against the amendment proposals to which majority of the lawmakers responded 'nay' allowing the Chairperson to pass the Bill through NA without amendments.

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