KATHMANDU, April 29: The government has introduced two ordinances after suspending the parliamentary session, drawing criticism from the opposition.
A cabinet meeting on Monday decided to promulgate an ordinance related to the Constitutional Council and another concerning the cooperative sector. The move came just a day after the government called the parliamentary session and subsequently deferred it. As per constitutional provisions, ordinances cannot be issued while parliament is in session.
Earlier, a cabinet meeting on April 21 had recommended to the President to convene a parliamentary session. Acting on the recommendation, President Ram Chandra Paudel summoned the session for April 30. However, the government recommended its suspension on April 23, citing special reasons. The President’s Office subsequently issued a notice confirming the postponement.
Oppn parties to reject recently introduced ordinances
The ordinance related to the Constitutional Council (CC) comes at a time when the body is lacking only one member. The six-member council includes the prime minister, speaker, deputy speaker, chairperson of the National Assembly, chief justice, and the parliamentary party leader of the main opposition party. The post of chief justice is currently vacant following the retirement of Prakash Man Singh Raut on March 31. Sapana Malla Pradhan is serving as the acting chief justice.
The main opposition Nepali Congress (NC), meanwhile, appointed Bhishmaraj Angdembe as its parliamentary party leader, a post vital for recommending appointments to constitutional bodies.
Sources said the second ordinance aims to address longstanding issues in the cooperative sector. Both ordinances have been forwarded to the President for approval. The President’s press adviser, Kiran Pokharel, said the documents are “under study.”
Meanwhile, NC General Secretary Pradeep Paudel has criticised the government, accusing it of undermining parliamentary supremacy. “The government should remember that in a democracy, no one is above due process and the rule of law. Parliamentary accountability, the foundation of democracy, must be fully transparent,” Paudel said.
Questioning the government’s intent, he added that even a two-thirds majority government appears unable to trust its own lawmakers. “Despite having a clear majority, what compulsion has forced the government to rely on ordinances instead of Parliament?” he asked.
Paudel has demanded that the government immediately withdraw the ordinances and convene the parliamentary session without delay.
