Winter session of Federal Parliament begins; Ruling and Opposition parties blame each other

Kathmandu / Jan 31: The fifth session of the Federal Parliament has begun at the Federal Parliament Building, New Baneshwor.

In the beginning of the meeting, Speaker Devraj Ghimire welcomed the parliamentarians. Soon after this, tribute was paid to known and unknown martyrs, who sacrificed their lives for democracy and republicanism, by observing one minute’s silence.

The agenda has been determined where the Speaker would read different letters sent by the President including on the commencement of the winter session. Similarly, the Speaker would nominate a member to chair the meeting as well as lawmakers would put their views on behalf of their parties on the commencement day of the session as practiced earlier.

Likewise, Ordinance designed to amend some Nepal Acts related to Promoting Good Governance and Public Service Delivery, 2081′, ‘Ordinance related to Financial Procedure and Fiscal Responsibility (First Amendment), 2081′, Ordinance related to Privatization (First Amendment), 2081’ and ‘Ordinance designed to amend some Nepal Acts related to Improving Economic and

Business Environment and Investment Promotion, 2081′, ‘Ordinance designed to amend some Nepal Acts related to Cooperatives, 2081′, and Ordinance designed to amend some Nepal Acts related to Land Management, 2081’ would be tabled in today’s meeting, it is said.

Oli defends ordinances in Parliament, says legal reforms were urgent

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli defended the government’s decision to amend 29 laws through ordinances, arguing that the legal changes were necessary to improve governance, attract investment, and address bureaucratic hassles.

Addressing a meeting of the House of Representatives on Friday, Oli said the government took the step as it could not afford to wait for the next parliamentary session while critical reforms remained pending. He emphasised that the ordinances aimed to remove obstacles in public services, business operations, land management, and financial regulations.

“The country has initiated an unprecedented reform in governance and business environment,” Oli said, quoting media reports to highlight the significance of the amendments.

Oli dismissed criticism that the government had bypassed Parliament, arguing that ordinances are a constitutional provision used when the legislature is not in session. “Some have questioned the process rather than the content of the ordinances. But ordinances are issued only when Parliament is not in session. That is exactly what the constitution allows,” he said.

He further said legal hurdles had long hindered economic growth, and the ordinances were necessary to break bureaucratic and legal bottlenecks. “It takes at least five to six months to pass a law through the regular parliamentary process. But the country needed urgent reforms,” he said.

Oli also addressed concerns regarding the business sector, pointing out that despite banks having investable funds and record-high remittance inflows, business activity remained sluggish. He said reforms were needed to encourage investment, boost the real estate market, and increase production.

“We closely monitored the economic situation and took decisive action. The confidence of the private sector needed to be boosted, the country needed investment, and citizens needed relief from legal complications that had persisted for years. These ordinances were the first step in addressing these issues,” Oli said.

He urged lawmakers to focus on the substance of the ordinances. “Let us make our discussions issue-based and focus on the merits of these laws rather than limiting them to political rhetoric,” he said.

Oli said lawmakers have 60 days to approve, reject, or modify the ordinances through replacement bills. “It is now up to the respected House to decide,” he said.

On a separate note, the prime minister reaffirmed Nepal’s commitment to strengthening friendly relations with neighbouring nations, India and China, while ensuring the country benefits from their rapid economic growth.

He said Nepal seeks to maintain ties based on mutual respect and shared interests.

Addressing concerns over the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) following his recent visit to China, he noted that unnecessary debates and misleading narratives had been created around the initiative.

Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Chairperson Lingden stressed on effective measures for corruption control.

Putting forth his views on the behalf of his party in the meeting on House of Representatives today, Chairperson Lingden blamed that the coalition government of the Nepali Congress and CPN (UML) failed to meet the expectations of citizens.

He accused that the price of construction materials had exponentially gone up in the wake of introduction of ordinances, criticizing that the government did not deliver any substantial on good-governance.

Drawing the attention towards lack of justice for victims of cooperatives scams, he questioned why the accused leaders close to the ruling parties were sparred while other accused ones were brought to justice

RSP Vice President demands probe committee on all corruption cases

Vice President of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and lawmaker, Dr Swarnim Wagle, has said formation of a parliamentary probe committee was essential to investigate into all issues of corruption and embezzlement occurred so far.

RSP Vice President Dr Wagle said it while addressing the meeting of the House of Representatives begun today. He underlined the need for formation of a high level judicial commission so that the income and property of all those holding public posts could be investigated. “RSP will continue its demand of the formation of such commission under the chairmanship of former chief justice or justice based on the Investigation Commission Act,” he reminded.

Lawmaker Dr Wagle accused the government of harassing his party President Rabi Lamichhane. He expressed his party had trust in judiciary.

The RSP had also urged Speaker Devraj Ghimire to lift the suspension of his party President Lamichhane’s membership of the House of Representatives.

He underlined the need for utilizing the parliament as a platform to make government accountable.

Dr Wagle wondered why the government failed to launch reform packages to address the issues pointed out by the Rameshwor Khanal-led high level economic reform commission. He urged the government to withdraw the bill on social network, revise it and register it at parliament again. RSS