PM Balen Shah will not address HoR on govt policy and program

KATHMANDU: Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle is scheduled to respond to lawmakers’ questions on the government’s policy and program in the House of Representatives on Thursday, amid continued opposition demands for Prime Minister Balen Shah to be present in Parliament.

The opposition parties had obstructed Wednesday’s House meeting, insisting that the Prime Minister must attend discussions and respond to concerns raised during deliberations on the government’s annual policy and program.

The House session on Wednesday witnessed repeated disruptions after the Prime Minister remained absent. Opposition lawmakers repeatedly objected during the meeting, leading to multiple adjournments before proceedings were eventually halted.

According to Thursday’s House agenda, the Finance Minister will answer questions raised during discussions on the government’s annual policy and program for the fiscal year 2026/27. The issue has been listed as the second item on the daily agenda.

The agenda states that Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle will respond on behalf of the Prime Minister regarding the discussions held on the annual policy and program presented by President Ram Chandra Paudel during the joint session of the federal parliament on Monday, May 11.

Opposition parties have maintained that the Prime Minister himself should table the proposal on the policy and program in the House.

Following discussions facilitated by the Speaker, opposition parties agreed to allow ministers to table the proposal, but they have remained firm that the Prime Minister must personally participate in the discussions and provide answers.

During Wednesday’s session, opposition lawmakers repeatedly urged the Speaker to issue a ruling directing the Prime Minister to attend the House. However, the Speaker declined, saying he had no prior information regarding the Prime Minister’s schedule.

The House meeting could not proceed smoothly after the Speaker refused to issue the ruling, and repeated opposition obstruction forced several adjournments throughout the day.