Delaying Winter Session, Govt. bringing more ordinances

The government has not yet announced the date of the Winter Session of the Parliament, which has already been delayed. The Monsoon session of the Parliament concluded in mid-September and the Winter Session is usually convened by mid-December. Admitting the delay officials at the Parliament secretariat say that the cabinet has not yet made announcement regarding the matter. Sources in the council of ministers revealed that discussions are underway in this regard. They are hopeful to convene the Winter session towards late January or early February. Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli is learnt to have discussed the issue with Speaker Devraj Ghimire. There is a provision in the constitution which says that there should not be more than six month gap between the two sessions.

The Nepali Congress-CPN(UML) led coalition government is considering to issue a number of ordinances as the commencement of the Winter session of the Parliament is still uncertain. It is learnt that the largest parties Nepali Congress and UML have already reached an agreement to bring among others, an ordinance related to splitting political parties. Unnecessarily delaying the Winter session of Parliament and bringing ordinances instead, would set a wrong example in the country’s Parliamentary practices, which is also not a symptom of healthy democracy, point out political observers.

The government has recently issued an ordinance to amend the Cooperative Act amidst criticism for delaying the parliamentary session. President Ram Chandra Paudel, at the recommendation of the Council of Ministers, promulgated the “Ordinance to Amend Certain Nepal Acts Related to Cooperatives, 2081” the other day.

The government has issued an ordinance to amend the Cooperative Act amidst criticism for delaying the parliamentary session. President Ram Chandra Paudel, upon the recommendation of the Cabinet, promulgated the “Ordinance to Amend Certain Nepal Acts Related to Cooperatives, 2081” on Sunday.

The ordinance has a provision to establish the National Cooperative Regulatory Authority for the purpose monitoring the cooperatives. Critics point out that the government could have introduced this legislation through a regular parliamentary. However, instead of convening a regular session, the government chose to bring an ordinance. The opposition leaders have already started criticizing the government saying the move has undermined parliamentary process and democratic value.