Prime Minister Balen Absent from Policy Program Q&A Session
The questions raised regarding the government’s announced policy and program will be addressed by Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle at today’s session of the House of Representatives. Opposition parties have been persistently disrupting the proceedings, urging Prime Minister Balen Shah to attend the discussion on the policy and program. After today’s debate on the policy and program, proposed amendments will be submitted for decision, followed by the presentation of the principles and priorities of the Appropriation Bill. Kathmandu, 30 Baisakh.
Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle is scheduled to respond to the questions concerning the government’s declared policy and program. This matter is listed as the second item on today’s agenda of the House of Representatives, finalized this morning. The agenda states, “On behalf of the honorable Prime Minister, the esteemed Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle will answer questions arising from the discussion on the Nepal Government’s Annual Policy and Program for the fiscal year 2083/084, as highlighted in the address delivered by the honorable President on 28 Baisakh 2083 (Monday) at the joint sitting of the Federal Parliament’s two houses.”
Opposition parties have been seeking the Prime Minister’s presence for the debate and response concerning the policy and program. The absence of the Prime Minister at Wednesday’s House meeting led to continuous protests and disruptions by opposition members. The opposition insisted that the Prime Minister himself should table the proposal related to policy and program discussions in the House. Following talks facilitated by the Speaker, opposition members agreed to allow the minister to table the proposal but maintained that the Prime Minister must be present for the discussion and Q&A session.
The opposition repeatedly requested the Speaker to rule on the Prime Minister’s attendance. However, the Speaker stated that he could not issue such a ruling, citing a lack of information about the Prime Minister’s schedule. Due to ongoing obstruction by the opposition, yesterday’s session was not conducted, and the Speaker postponed today’s meeting. The agenda for today includes the discussion on the policy and program. After the Finance Minister’s responses, submitted amendments to the government’s annual policy and program will be presented for decision. A proposal to approve the government’s annual policy and program is also planned for the same day, followed by the presentation of the Appropriation Bill’s principles and priorities. The agenda also includes a proposal by Ganesh Parajuli, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Rules Drafting Committee, to consider the “Report of the House of Representatives Rules Drafting Committee, 2083.”