KATHMANDU, June 10: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli addressed the House of Representatives on Wednesday. Oli spoke on a range of contemporary issues including the government's efforts to contain the coronavirus disease.

Prime Minister Oli said that the constitution amendment bill will be approved on the basis of consensus among the political parties.

Oli also defended the government's decision to bring the National Investigative Department and other offices under the purview of the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM). "These government agencies are functioning better after they are brought under the PMO," Oli said.

Earlier, the main opposition Nepali Congress had criticized the Oli-led government for bringing the Department of Money Laundering Investigation, Inland Revenue Department and National Investigative Department under the purview of the OPMCM.

Previously, the DoMLI and IRD were under the Ministry of Finance, while the NID was under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

"Some have accused me of centralizing power. This is wrong. I do not have such ambitions. I want to decentralize power," the prime minister asserted.

Stating that even the powerful countries of the world have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Oli said that the government has made utmost efforts to contain the coronavirus.

UPDATE: Prime Minister Oli is now giving answers to the questions raised by lawmakers. 

UPDATE: The meeting is currently underway and lawmakers from various parties are raising questions on the government's efforts to contain the COVID-19. 

 
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