Government Criticized for Pushing Ordinances Amidst Parliamentary Session

Kathmandu. The government has faced widespread criticism for recommending President Ramchandra Paudel to issue two ordinances, one related to the Constitutional Council and another concerning cooperatives, by halting parliamentary proceedings. It is said that the Balen Shah-led government, finding itself in the minority within the Constitutional Council, opted for ordinances to expedite law-making.

However, not only the opposition but also some MPs from the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) have expressed dissatisfaction, arguing that a government with nearly a two-thirds majority should be making laws through parliament, not ruling by ordinance like previous UML-Congress led governments.

Most opposition parties represented in parliament have protested the government's move to bring ordinances by bypassing parliament. However, the RSP, which previously opposed ordinances when in opposition, has remained silent on the matter.

Meanwhile, RSP Chairman Rabi Lamichhane and available party MPs are scheduled to hold discussions on the ordinances and other recent political developments.

Party General Secretary and Chief Whip Kabhindra Burlaoti informed that Chairman Lamichhane and MPs will hold discussions with available party members at the party's office in Singha Durbar after 11 AM.

According to him, discussions will cover contemporary politics, the party, and the government.

“There are certain things that need to be met with the government’s speed,” Burlaoti said, “Considering that, work has been done on the ordinances.”

General Secretary Burlaoti also stated that the government brought the ordinances after discussions at the party’s high level.

“To fulfill the people’s expectations, some laws needed to be made through a fast track, and the ordinances were brought after general discussions at the party’s top level,” said General Secretary Burlaoti, adding, “However, a detailed study of the content of the ordinances is yet to be done.”

He further explained that citizens began presenting their problems from the second day of the government's formation, and it is natural for people who have been suffering for years to bring their issues to the government, which is why the government has chosen the fast-track route.