Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota has said that discussions have started as to the duration of the term of the present House of Representatives with talks of announcement of the date of the federal and provincial election. In an interaction with the journalists covering the parliamentary news beat today, the Speaker shared that the topic of the status of parliament after the announcement of the election date figured in passing at the Office of the President on the sidelines of the swearing in of the Deputy Speaker.

“General discussions were held on this matter with the President, the Vice President, the Prime Minister and the National Assembly chairperson at the swearing in ceremony. The conclusion of that discussion was that it should be continued to arrive at a conclusion,” he said. According to the Speaker, all were of the understanding during the discussions that the parliament’s tenure remains till the date of nomination. “When the House of Representatives is dissolved before the completion of its term, the MPs except the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are relieved of their post. This matter would be discussed with the constitutional experts to arrive at a conclusion,” the Speaker elaborated.

Deliberations on bills affected due to Cabinet reshuffle
Speaker Sapkota also said that problems were faced to proceed ahead with the discussions on the bills registered in the Parliament Secretariat due to the change of ministers of the federal government. He shared that although the current session of the parliament is a budget session, important bills have been passed and some bills are under discussions.

Stating that 15 bills have been passed so far in the current session of the parliament and the reports of five parliamentary committees and various constitutional bodies have been tabled in parliament, he said the parliament that has run amidst the episodes of dissolution and obstructions has carried out works raising hope in the people.

Speaker Sapkota said his attention has been drawn to the fact that the post of chair of various parliamentary committees remained vacant and that he was in talk with the Prime Minister regarding holding election to the vacant posts.
He believed that the works of the parliament would move ahead in a more effective manner with the election, albeit late, of the Deputy Speaker.