Panel formed to discuss statute amendment bill

Kathmandu, June 12:

The Parliament today formed a 23-member Special Committee to hold discussions on the Interim Constitution second amendment bill.

The panel straight away got down to business and held clause-wise discussions on the amendments proposed by MPs. The committee was proposed by Nepali Congress MP Ram Bahadur Bista and had the backing of MPs Sushila Nepal, Amrita Thapa and Bharat Kumar Shah.

The House forwarded the bill to the Special Committee as per the demand of the Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Narendra Bikram Nembang.

The committee, which is working under Speaker Subas Nembang, will submit its report in the House with concrete suggestions.

According to a member of the committee, the discussions will continue tomorrow and a report presented in the House that is scheduled to meet at 4 pm tomorrow.

The committee will be discussing 53 amendment proposals. The MPs have sought amendment in a provision that says the king can be removed through a two-third majority of the House if he acts against the Constituent Assembly (CA) elections.

The MPs are also seeking a provision that would authorise the Parliamentary Public Hearing Committee to hold discussions on the appointment of Supreme Court judges, ambassadors, officials of constitutional bodies and the chairpersons and managers of public corporations.

They are further demanding amendment in a provision on complete proportional representation system in the CA elections.