UML continues House obstruction, two ordinances passed

KATHMANDU: The main opposition CPN-UML continued obstructing the meeting of the House of Representatives on Tuesday as well.

The UML had obstructed the first meeting of the winter session of parliament on December 14. 

The main opposition has been demanding that Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota publish a notice reading the expulsion of its 14 lawmakers including Madhav Kumar Nepal. 

Nepal, however, split from the UML and formed CPN (Unified Socialist) in August, earlier this year. 

As soon as Speaker Sapkota began Tuesday’s House proceedings, UML lawmakers picketed the rostrum and chanted slogans against him. 

The House, however,  passed two ordinances amid obstruction and sloganeering by the main opposition. 

The meeting passed the 'Ordinance  Amending Some Acts against Sexual Violence-2021' and the 'Ordinance to Amend Some Acts Related to Criminal Offenses and Criminal Procedure-2021' through the majority. 

Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Dilendra Prasad Badu presented the proposals separately, seeking the approval of both ordinances.  

The meeting, before approving the ordinances, had rejected with a majority the protest note from Prem Suwal of Nepal Workers and Peasants Party. 

The next HoR meeting has been scheduled for 1:00 PM on December 22.