KATHMANDU, May 24: The official logo of the federal parliament and the badges of the members of parliament will be changed as per the revised map of Nepal.

The Business Advisory Committee of the House of Representatives decided to change the parliament logo and MP’s badges during a meeting chaired by Speaker Agni Sapkota held at Singha Durbar on Sunday.

The meeting has also directed the federal parliament Secretariat to immediately proceed toward the implementation of the decision.

Likewise, the National Assembly has also decided to change the badges of upper house members as per revised Nepal’s administrative map.

The government on May 18 released the New map of Nepal incorporating the territories of Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura that are encroached by India.

The government has already registered a constitution amendment bill at the parliament seeking an update to the existing map of Nepal in the national emblem.

“There are forces who are continuously testing our patience, we are open to criticisms but we will not tolerate conspiracies against our constitution and democracy. We have abolished it therefore this is not a right time to talk about its restoration. Dare not dream to revive something that is dead and gone”.

KATHMANDU, Aug 18: Prime Minister and Chairman of Nepal Communist Party KP Sharma Oli has stated in Parliament that he will remain in office until the next election. He has assured his detractors and opponents alike to stop day dreaming of toppling his party.

Addressing the Parliament this morning PM Oli said “positions are filled and vacant, no one remains permanent in administration, even Kings have let go of their positions. I do not wish to be the PM in the next election till then please exercise patience”.

He further clarified that his party has sacrificed and come to where it is through a lot of struggle.  ” We have a history of sacrifice, we have come here through the people’s mandate who know that we are there to frame the right policies, why are people spreading unnecessary rumors regarding our democratic working style and credentials”. PM Oli also expressed dissatisfaction of certain power centers within the parliament who are trying to destroy the faith of the people.

“Democracy is not a gifted, our government has struggled and sacrificed to attain what we have today. Our, commitment to democratic values remain, and our aim is to strengthen and protect what we have achieved. Do not accuse us of being totalitarian “.

Talking about Monarchy the Prime Minister ruled out any possibilities of its revival. “There are forces who are continuously testing our patience, we are open to criticisms but we will not tolerate conspiracies against our constitution and democracy. We have abolished it therefore this is not a right time to talk about its restoration. Dare not dream to revive something that is dead and gone”.

The Prime Minister also refuted claims that his government has failed towards achieving growth. “We have black topped over 1400 kilometers of road last year, yet we have faced criticisms that the government has failed to do anything. No Problem! We will continue working while ignoring criticisms and black top hundreds of kilometers of roads in the coming fiscal year”, he said.

Regarding the current state of the economy, the PM has said that “we have achieved a record 7 percent. We expect the figure to climb at 8.5 percent and our efforts will continue towards development”.

KATHMANDU, July 15: A meeting of the House of Representatives scheduled for today has been postponed until July 24 due to monsoon havoc that has left over 60 people dead and injured scores others.

The meeting has been put off as the members of the HoR have been given time to go to their respective districts to help with rescue and relief efforts at this time of sorrow and grief caused by flooding and landslides caused by incessant rains since six days across the country, reads a statement issued today by the Federal Parliament.

KATHMANDU, Aug 27: Al together 18 important bills-all related to the implementation of the fundamental rights enshrined by the constitution are currently under deliberations at various committees of the parliament.

The new constitution of Nepal 2015 should be implemented within three years of its promulgation and the endorsements of these bills are very vital towards that end.
According to the Federal Parliament bill section, the concerned committees have distributed the copies of the Bill to amend the Land Reform Act-2021, Bill to ensure compulsory and free of cost education, Bill related to right to employment to its members for study. Similarly, lawmakers are also studying the Bill related to protection of individual privacy, Bill related to Food and Food sovereignty, among others.

Likewise, lawmakers had discussed the Bill related to Right to Accomodation-2075 BS, Bill related to public health service and the Bill related to Payment and Clearance -2075 BS in the related committees.

Clause-wise discussions are underway regarding the Bill related to the safe motherhood and reproductive health right, 2075 BS and the Bill enacted to amend passport related laws, the Bills made to amend the Citizenship Act, 2063, and amend and unify consumer protection related laws.

Likewise, the bills that are under deliberations include the Bill related to pension fund, the Bill made to amend and unify insurance related laws, the National Medical Education Bill, 2075 BS and the Bill, 2075 BS related to auditing. The House of Representatives has already passed the Bill, 2075 BS made to amend the Public Security Act, 2043, while the Bill, 2075 BS made to amend Caste-based Discrimination and Untouchability (Offence and Punishment) Act, 2068 BS has been forwarded to lawmakers for a study.

Prior to this, the parliament endorsed the Bill related to the provisions for remunerations; and terms and conditions of service of general secretary of federal parliament, secretary of House of Representatives secretariat; and secretary of the National Assembly secretariat, the Bill related to the election of members of the National Assembly and the Bill enacted to implement the Nepal Government’s proposal related to fiscal arrangement. These bills have been already certified.

The Appropriation Bill, 2075 BS, the Bill to collect national debt and the bill related to loan and securities (22th amendment) had been passed by the parliament earlier and were already authenticated. RSS

KATHMANDU, June 11: A joint sitting of the Federal Parliament (House of Representatives and National Assembly) scheduled for Monday was put off, citing a special reason. The session was summoned for 13:00 hrs today.

The meeting has been postponed, following the directions of the chair of National Assembly and the Speaker until further notice, as stated by the Federal Parliament Secretariat in a press note.

KATHMANDU, March 30: A meeting of the House of Representatives Friday endorsed an ordinance presented to amend (first) the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons (CIEDP) and Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Act.

In the today’s meeting, Minister for Law, Justice, and Federal Affairs, Sher Bahadur Tamang, presented the proposal, seeking the endorsement of ordinance and the meeting unanimously passed the proposal.

Similarly, Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa presented the “National Assembly Members’ Election Ordinance-2018” while Minister for Education, Science and Technology Giriraj Mani Pokharel tabled the “National Medical Education Ordinance-2018” in the meeting for approval.

These ordinances were issued by the erstwhile government led by Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba.

The Lower House shall meet again at 1:00 am on April 2. RSS

KATHMANDU, March 30: Members of House of Representatives have protested the government’s decision of reducing the public holidays on the occasion of Democracy Day (Falgun 7) and Martyrs Day (Magh 16).

In today’s meeting of the House of Representatives, Dilendra Prasad Badu of the Nepali Congress protested the government’s decision of reducing public holiday on the occasion of Democracy Day and Martyrs Day and demanded immediate withdraw of the decision.

Saying tense has arisen over the issue of bridge constructed unilaterally by the Indian side at the border of Darchula, he drew the attention of the government to take immediate initiative to resolve the problem.

Similarly, HoR member Hridayesh Tripathi stressed that the government should take necessary step immediately as sugarcane farmers have yet to get Rs 11 billion while Prabhu Sah of CPN (Maoist Centre) demanded immediate arrangement for resettlement of flood victims in Tarai and long-term relief to the victims.

Sah said that Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli should inform the Parliament regarding the agendas of his upcoming India visit.

Likewise, Anil Kumar Jha of Rastriya Janata Party protested the government’s decision of slashing the number of such public holidays, linked with people’s sentiments, and informed the House about the damage caused by hailstone in Rautahat.

He also demanded immediate arrangement of relief to victim farmers. Demanding voting rights to all eligible Nepali voters, whether they are inside or outside the country, Durga Poudel of Rastriya Janamorcha said that arrangements should be made for 4 million voters living outside the country to exercise their franchise.

Similarly, Rajendra Prasad Gautam of CPN (UML), Jibchhiring Lama of Nepali Congress, Gajendra Mahat of CPN (MC), Rajendra KC of NC, Prem Suwal of Nepal Workers and Peasants Party also drew the attention of the government in various contemporary issues. RSS

KATHMANDU, March 4: Newly elected members of House of Representatives took the oath of office and secrecy today at Baneshwor-based Federal Parliament Building at 4:00 pm today.

Senior-most member of the House of Representatives Mahantha Thakur administered the oath of office and secrecy to the HoR members. Earlier, President Bidya Devi Bhandari had administered the oath of office and secrecy to Thakur today itself.

There are 275 members in the House of Representatives including 165 members elected under first-past-the-post category and 110 under proportional representation category. The CPN-UML has 121 members, NC has 63, and CPN-MC has 53 while Federal Socialist Forum Nepal has 17 and Rastriya Janata Party has 16 members. Likewise, the Naya Shakti Party, Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Rastriya Janamorcha and Nepal Majdoor Kissan Party has one member each and one member is an independent member.

SILWAL ATTENDS CEREMONY

Former Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Nawaraj Silwal, who who had been hiding for the past several months to avoid arrest over alleged document forgery, also showed up for the oath taking ceremony.

Four Lawmakers Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, Mahendra Raya Yadav, Dharmashila Chapagain and Resham Lal Chaudhary were absent during the oath ceremony. Chaudhary, accused of Tikapur incident, in currently in police custody while other three members did not attend the ceremony citing personal reasons, according to Secretariat Spokesperson Dr Bharat Raj Gautam.

President Bhandari, on the recommendation of the Government, has summoned the first meeting of federal parliament for March 5.

Out of the HoR members, 38 members took oath of office and secrecy in their respective mother tongue including Bojpuri, Maithali, Awadhi, Tamang, Tharu, Magar and Hindi.

ONLY 55 NA MEMBERS SWORN-IN

Likewise, fifty-five members elected in the National Assembly, the upper house of Nepal’s bicameral federal parliament also took oath of office and secrecy.

NA senior most member Tara Devi Bhatta administered the oath of office and secrecy to them this evening. NA member Ramesh Prasad Yadav was absent on the occasion. In the 59-member NA, there is the representation of eight members including (at least) three women, one Dalit and one person with disability or minority group from each seven provinces.

The CPN-UML has 27 members, the Nepali Congress 13 and the CPN (Maoist Center) has 12 in the upper house. Likewise, two are each from the Rastriya Janata Party and Federal Socialist Forum. Following the ceremony, Federal Parliament Secretariat general secretary Manohar Prasad Bhattarai congratulated them.

However, the swearing-in of the three NA members was not held today, for the Supreme Court had earlier issued an order staying their oath.

Earlier, President Bidya Devi Bhandari administered the oath of office and secrecy to the senior most member Bhatta. Currently, there are 21 women and 35 men members in the NA.

With the promulgation of new constitution and the changed system of federal republic, it is the first time the NA is formed. Article 86 of the Constitution of Nepal has provided the formation of NA and the term of its members.

The term of the one third of the NA members expires every two year. The tenure of the NA is six year.

KATHMANDU, March 4: The newly elected members of House of Representatives and National Assemblies of the federal parliament are taking oath of office and secrecy today.

The first session of parliament is scheduled for tomorrow at 4 am, as summoned by President Bidya Devi Bhandari on recommendation of Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli in accordance with the Article 93 (10).

Nepal’s federal parliament is bicameral and the upper house consists of 59 members (56 elected from the February 7 National Assembly election and three nominated by the President) while the lower house has 275 members (165 elected from first-past-the-post system and remaining 110 from proportional representation system).

The House of Representatives election was held in two phases–November 26 and December 7–last year.

According to federal parliament secretariat’s general secretary Manohar Prasad Bhattarai, A swearing-in ceremony for the House of Representatives members shall take place at 4.00 pm while the schedule for NA members has been fixed for 5.00 pm.

Before that, the senior- most members in terms of age of both houses shall take oath before the President at the Shital Niwas and they shall administer oath of office to remaining members of the respective houses.

Mahendra Ray Yadav would carry out the duties of the Speaker until the election of Speaker while Taradevi Bhatta would take charge of National Assembly Chairperson until the election for Chairperson.

Eighty-year-old Yadav of Rastriya Janata Party who had won the election from Sarlahi Constituency-2 is the senior most member in the lower house while 69-year-old Bhatta of the Nepali Congress is the senior most member in the NA.

However, Dr Yubraj Khatiwada, Ram Narayan Bidari and Dr Bimala Poudel, nominated to the NA three seats by the Head-of-the-State, shall not attend the swearing-in ceremony, owing to the Supreme Court order. The SC on February 25, in response to a joint writ registered by three people recommended for the nomination in the NA by the erstwhile Sher Bahadur Deuba-led government, issued an interlocutory order in the name of government and Office of the President, among others to stay their swearing.

The President’s move to set aside the erstwhile government’s decision and endorsing the recommendations of new government has been challenged in the court.

Likewise, two members in the House of Representatives (Resham Chaudhary, accused in the Kailali carnage, and former Deputy Inspector General of Police Nawaraj Silwal charged with forgery) are eligible for taking oath as the Secretariat has received no information in writing in this regard from the authorities concerned, said Secretariat Spokesperson Dr Bharat Raj Gautam.

So far the Secretariat has been officially informed that 44 members in the federal parliament, 38 to the House of Representatives and remaining six in the National Assembly, are taking oath in mother tongues. Swearing of parliament members in mother languages has been guaranteed by the constitution.

As per the provision, any member wishing to take oath of office and secrecy in respective mother language shall submit a text of the oath along with its translated copy (into mother language) to the federal parliament secretariat before three days of the swearing-in ceremony.

Spokesperson Dr Gautam said that consultation would be held among leaders of five political parties representing the Parliament at 10: am on Wednesday for the preparation of meeting agenda.

The Secretariat has prepared a draft of Interim Working Procedure as it has to be passed until the formulation of Work Operation Regulation.

PREPARATION OF SPEAKER AND DEPUTY-SPEAKER, CHAIRPERSON AND VICE-CHAIRPERSON ELECTIONS

The Constitution has the provision that election to Speaker and Deputy-Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the National Assembly shall be held within 15 days after the first meeting of the federal parliament.

There is also a provision that Speaker and Deputy-Speaker as well as Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson shall be from different parties and different gender.

There is also a constitutional provision that the Prime Minister shall garner a vote of confidence at the House of Representatives within 30 days after being appointed to the post. The Secretariat is learnt to have been making preparations for so. Prime Minister Oli was appointed to the top executive post on February 15.

KATHMANDU, Oct 26: CPN (Maoist Centre) chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said the Legislature-Parliament will automatically be restored if the elections to the House of Representatives and State Assembly were not held in the stipulated time.

“Although constitutionally the term of the parliament is until January 21, 2018 it has been dissolved as the process for the nomination of candidates for the House of Representatives and State Assembly elections have started. The parliament will be automatically reinstated if the elections are not held on the stipulated dates of November 26 and December 7 this year,” said the former prime minister while addressing a book (entitled ‘History of Modern’ authored by Laxman Panta) launching program in the capital on Thursday.

Dahal also said that the Communist Alliance will make its views on this topic public today alone.
“The regressive elements who do not want the progressive and the pro-change forces coming together might disturb the election process; we all need to be conscious towards this possibility,” he said.

Prachanda also urged one and all not to cast doubts regarding this (i.e. the elections not taking place on the stipulated date) as the Election Commission has started the process of printing separate ballot papers for the same seat of the House of Representatives and State Assembly, in agreement with the top leaders of the major political parties, including Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.

Also speaking on the occasion, CPN-UML Secretary Pradip Gyawali said that Panta has written the book following the socialist and the progressive concepts in history writing.

Chief Editor of Kantipur national daily, Sudhir Sharma said the rightist and leftist both perspectives on seeing history would be wrong.

The 558 pages book is based on the analysis of key incidents of the period from 1743 BS to 1955 BS in Nepal’s history.