KATHMANDU: National Assembly (NA) lawmaker Dr Beduram Bhusal has demanded an equal recognition and treatment to both Houses enabled by the bicameral federal parliament system envisaged by the Constitution.
He complained that the NA functioning as the Upper House was neglected from media coverage to the implementation of its decisions and directions.
As he explained, NA is for correcting possible weaknesses at the House of Representatives (HoR) and the underestimation of its role and presence could not be accepted. He took time to accuse media of focusing its attention just to HoR business when the sessions of both Houses are underway.
He was speaking at a special session of the NA and also questioned why the post of NA vice-chair had been lying vacant for months.
“The election schedule of HoR deputy-speaker has been already published, but the election of the NA vice-chair has not been the priority of the people concerned.”
De jure, the NA and HoR have similar positions, but in de fact HoR remains as a special entity of the Federal Parliament while the NA roles are auxiliary. He reminded that the Article 83 of the Constitution says,” There shall be a Federal Legislature consisting of two Houses to be known as the House of Representatives and the National Assembly, which shall be called as the Federal Parliament.”
He took time to say that the economic index featured in the report of Office of the Auditor General is worrisome and the 15.46 percent arrears alone in the current fiscal are enough to question about the status of good governance in the nation.
“The increasing size of arrears indicates the nation is heading towards financial anarchy and broader discussions are needed on the matter.” He also used the forum to draw the government attention towards increasing problem of landslides and floods, skyrocketing market price and the short supply of fertilizers to farmers among others.
Also speaking on the occasion, lawmaker Khimlal Devkota said the Act relating to Parliament Secretariat-2064 BS was amended in the third session and the amendment bill was faulty and it needs to be corrected.
He presented an idea of chairing a joint session of the Federal Parliament by Speaker and NA Chair on a rotational basis and asked why this provision could not be ensured the joint session work operation regulations. He also claimed that the NA presence had been weakened by constitutionally.
Dr Bimala Rai Poudyal complained that 12 bills endorsed by the NA had got stuck in the House of Representatives.
Stating that it required the State’s investment in producing and proceeding with any bill and she insisted on executing all bills before the election. “The NA’s role is weakening during the course of formulating laws.” Bimala Ghimire said a fire broke out at the Bhrikutimandap-based wheelchair warehouse on Wednesday should not hamper service to the physically disabled people while Narayan Dutta Mishra said the Nepal’s economic scenario is not like as it is reported in public.
Comment