PM Shah’s attendance uncertain as House prepares for crucial policy program discussions

KATHMANDU: The House of Representatives is scheduled to discuss six separate agendas during today’s meeting, set to begin at 11 am.

The first agenda includes discussion on the government’s annual policy and program for the fiscal year 2026/27.

President Ram Chandra Paudel had presented the government’s annual policy and program during a joint session of the Federal Parliament on May 11.

However, discussions on the document could not take place on Wednesday after repeated obstruction by opposition parties over the absence of Prime Minister Balen Shah.

The second agenda states that the Prime Minister is scheduled to respond to questions raised during deliberations on the policy and program.

According to the parliamentary agenda, “Prime Minister Balen Shah will respond to the questions raised during discussions on the Government of Nepal’s annual policy and program for fiscal year 2026/27 presented by the Right Honourable President before the joint meeting of both Houses of the Federal Parliament on Monday, May 11.”

However, officials at the Parliament Secretariat say there is still no certainty that the Prime Minister will personally attend the House session.

The Prime Minister may again authorize another minister to respond on his behalf, as he had done earlier by delegating Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle to handle proceedings.

Wednesday’s meeting could not formally enter the agenda after opposition parties insisted that the Prime Minister’s presence was mandatory.

The third agenda includes presenting proposed amendments to the government’s annual policy and program for decision-making.

The fourth agenda involves the Speaker presenting the government’s annual policy and program for endorsement by the House.

Under the fifth agenda, Finance Minister Wagle is scheduled to present the principles and priorities of the Appropriation Bill for the fiscal year 2026/27, excluding tax proposals.

The sixth agenda includes Ganesh Parajuli presenting a proposal for consideration of the “House of Representatives Regulations Drafting Committee Report.”