KATHMANDU: Information Technology Bill that entails a controversial provision to imprison an individual for five years along with a fine of Rs 1.5 million for expressing critical views online or on social media is being tabled in the House of Representatives (HoR) on Thursday.

The Development and Technology Parliamentary Committee is presenting the report of the controversial Information Technology Bill passed by a majority of lawmakers from CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Center) in the meeting for discussion today.

Committee’s Chairperson Kalyani Kumari Khadka will present the report, said Dr Bharat Raj Gautam, the General Secretary at the Federal Parliament Secretariat.  NC lawmakers say the Bill is being forwarded at the initiation of the government.

If the Bill is endorsed by the parliament, the founder of a news portal and journalists will have to face punishment for expressing critical views online or sharing the same content on social media.

Despite protests by the NC lawmakers, the majority of lawmakers from UML and Maoist Center in the Parliamentary Committee had endorsed the Bill in December 2019.

The NC is against the Bill since it curtails the freedom of the press and freedom of expression which is the fundamental right of the people stipulated in the Constitution of Nepal, says NC lawmaker Sanjaya Gautam.

Besides, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli will present the annual reports of Madhesi Commission and Tharu Commission of the fiscal year 2076/77 in the meeting.

The HoR meeting will also pass the condolence motion on the demise of former Minister of State for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Aishwarya Lal Pradhananga who passed away at the age of 96 on April 2.