KATHMANDU, Oct 2: With the prorogation of the parliament session last week, 13 various urgent motions of public importance have been aborted without holding discussions on them in the House and without drawing the government's attention to them.
Various 13 lawmakers had registered 16 motions on different issues demanding answers from the ministers concerned and also direction from parliament. But only three motions were taken for discussion in the House session that was conducted for about 192 hours in 135 days. Though the winter session of parliament is expected to start after a month, according to Rule 65 (3) of the House of Representatives, a new session of the House does not entertain the motions registered the previous session. According to the parliament secretariat, such proposals were registered between May and September.
Ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) lawmaker Metmani Chaudhary had registered two urgent motions of public importance and an attention drawing motion in the second session of parliament. “The house session was prorogued without taking any of my proposals for discussion. But Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara has assured me of arranging time for discussion in the next House session,” Chaudhary told Republica. He has decided to register his all three motions demanding land and land ownership certificates for the squatters and allowing registration of unregistered land.
Parliament dumping motions of urgent public importance
The relevance of many proposals has ended after the House did not take the proposals for discussion immediately. Dila Sangroula of NC had registered a motion demanding action against medical college owner Durga Prasain for his abusive statements against Nepali students pursuing medical education in Bangladesh. But the issue faded away with the House delaying discussion on the motion.
Another NCP lawmaker Jhapad Rawal had registered an urgent motion of public importance demanding regulation on alcohol consumption and selling keeping in view the trend of high alcohol consumption during the festive season and crimes under its influence. But the House session was prorogued without taking his motion for discussion and another session is unlikely to commence before the major festivals.
Former health minister and main opposition Nepali Congress (NC) lawmaker Gagan Thapa had registered a proposal demanding the construction of Nijghad Airport at the earliest, just a day before the prorogation of the parliament session. Thapa had also registered another proposal demanding House direction on life skill-based education system.
Former minister and NCP lawmaker Brijesh Gupta had registered a motion demanding house direction for decentralization of vehicle license distribution. Also, an urgent motion of public importance registered by NCP lawmaker Prabhu Sah demanding maintenance of road, a motion registered by lawmaker Prakash Rasaili demanding price hike control, a motion registered by lawmaker Rajendra Gautam demanding expedition of national pride projects, a motion registered by lawmaker Rameshwor Raya Yadav demanding descent citizenship for child of citizens through birth and a motion registered by lawmaker Hridayesh Tripathi demanding commission for price fixing on agriculture products expired without being discussed in parliament.
Three motions registered by lawmaker Khagraj Adhikari demanding transfer of infrastructure related projects to local level and Brinda Pandey demanding curriculum for awareness on violence against women and Dilendra Badu demanding to save life of Dr Govinda KC during the latter's fast-unto-the death were discussed in the second House session.
Speaker Mahara has formed a selection committee to choose the motions of public importance for discussion in parliament. But the head of the committee has been changed twice after Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal was appointed as minister and his successor Krishna Bhakta Pokhrel also elected as the head of a parliamentary committee.
