Kathmandu, September 3

The government is preparing to bring a new bill on reconstruction of earthquake affected structures as the bill, which was already registered in Parliament to replace the ordinance related to it could not meet the constitutional deadline for the same.

Due to government negligence, the Reconstruction Authority has been rendered illegal. Hence, the parliament must endorse a new bill.

The ordinance was issued on June 22. The government had registered the replacement bill on August 1.

However, the replacement bill could not be endorsed within 60 days after the ongoing parliament session began as per the provision of article 88 (2)(c) in the Interim Constitution.

Minister for Law, Justice, Constituent Assembly and Parliamentary Affairs Narahari Acharya said discussions on whether to move ahead with the bill by amending some of the proposed provisions or to bring a new bill are under way.

“We will decide about the bill immediately after amendment on the revised bill of the new constitution is registered on Saturday,” Acharya said.

Until the bill is passed, the Reconstruction Authority set up as per the ordinance will not come into effect, he said.

“The bill, however, can bring decisions taken under the ordinance under the purview of the new bill by mentioning a clause — the functions conducted under the ordinance will be considered as done as per this law,” he said.

It means the appointment of Govinda Pokhrel as Chief Executive Officer of the authority as per the ordinance, can be continued by mentioning it in the bill.

Unified CPN-Maoist lawmaker Ram Narayan Bidari said the three major parties — Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and UCPN-M have agreed to bring the new bill soon and pass it within seven days. “The Reconstruction Authority formed by the government unilaterally is now illegal. However, a new bill will legalise it,” he said.