KATHMANDU: The House of Representatives convened its scheduled session today as opposition parties Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) continued their protest over the recent visit visa scandal.
Both parties boycotted the session, demanding the formation of a high-level investigation committee and the resignation of Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak.
RSP lawmaker Shiva Nepali, speaking during zero hour before walking out, accused the ruling alliance of suppressing the opposition’s voice in Parliament. He reiterated RSP’s demand for either a high-level parliamentary probe committee or a judicial commission to investigate alleged human trafficking taking place under the guise of visit visas.
Despite the boycott, today’s parliamentary session moved forward with discussions on the Appropriation Bill, 2025. Ministers from several ministries are scheduled to respond to queries raised during the budget debate.
Among the ministries addressing the House today are the Ministry of Forests and Environment; Federal Affairs and General Administration; Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation; Defence; Agriculture and Livestock Development; Health and Population; Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs; and Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.
In addition, discussions and ministerial responses are expected regarding budget allocations and issues raised concerning the ministries of Youth and Sports; Physical Infrastructure; Women, Children and Senior Citizens; Industry; Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation; Water Supply; Education, Science and Technology; Foreign Affairs; Labour; Home Affairs; and Communication and Information Technology.
The opposition’s continued pressure over the visa issue is likely to remain a major point of contention as the budget session progresses.
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