KATHMANDU: Constitutional experts have criticized the government’s plan to have Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle respond to lawmakers’ questions on the government’s policy and program in place of Prime Minister Balendra Shah.
Constitutional expert Rajendra Phuyal said the Prime Minister himself should answer questions raised by lawmakers during discussions on the policy and program, describing it as “inappropriate” to delegate the responsibility to another minister.
Although the parliamentary agenda states that Prime Minister Shah is scheduled to address the House today, preparations are reportedly underway for Finance Minister Wagle to respond on his behalf.
“The Prime Minister himself must answer the questions raised by the opposition regarding the policy and program. It is difficult even to imagine that he would not attend,” Phuyal said. “I expect the Prime Minister to personally come and respond.”
According to Phuyal, it may be natural for the finance minister or other ministers to respond in situations where the Prime Minister is occupied with other responsibilities, but doing so during deliberations on the government’s policy and program would go against established practice and parliamentary tradition.
“Such a practice, which is not seen nationally or internationally, would not be appropriate here,” he added.
Opposition parties in Parliament are also preparing to protest after reports emerged that the finance minister would respond instead of the Prime Minister during today’s House of Representatives meeting scheduled for 1 pm.
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