KATHMANDU: CPN-UML leader and former Chief Whip Mahesh Bartaula has termed the failure to meet the quorum in the House of Representatives just four months into the new parliamentary term a “terrible parliamentary embarrassment.”
Bartaula made the remarks after a government proposal seeking consideration of the Mines and Mineral Resources Bill could not be put to a decision at the latest meeting of the House due to a lack of quorum.
According to Article 94 of the Constitution of Nepal, at least one-fourth of the total members of the House of Representatives must be present for any question or proposal to be submitted for a decision. This means at least 69 lawmakers must be present.
Bartaula said the failure to meet the quorum despite the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) having 181 lawmakers was not a normal parliamentary incident.
He said the incident exposed the negligence and irresponsibility of lawmakers, particularly those from the ruling party, toward their parliamentary responsibilities.
“The government is theirs, the majority is theirs, the bill is theirs, but unfortunately, their own lawmakers are not in Parliament,” Bartaula said.
He argued that the incident just four months into the new parliamentary term had raised serious questions about the RSP’s parliamentary seriousness, discipline and sense of responsibility.
Bartaula said the government and its lawmakers bear the responsibility of taking government proposals through the decision-making process.
He added that an effective Parliament cannot function when lawmakers remain unresponsive and inactive toward parliamentary proceedings.
He also criticised lawmakers for failing to remain present throughout parliamentary meetings, questioning the tendency of some lawmakers to create content for social media and the media before leaving the House before proceedings conclude for personal engagements.
“Parliament is the supreme legislative body responsible for making laws. It is not merely a platform for creating promotional content for social media and public media,” he said.
Bartaula further said the public conduct, display of luxury and absenteeism of lawmakers in parliamentary meetings just four months into the new House had raised serious questions about the principle of having the “right person in the right place.”
He stressed that winning an election alone is not enough to become an effective lawmaker, saying elected representatives must also demonstrate the ethics, discipline and commitment required to fulfil their responsibilities.
Bartaula warned that failure to correct such practices in time could seriously damage public trust in Parliament.
Comment