Kailali, June 7: The 11th Conference of Inter-Legislative Forum (ILF) concluded here on Saturday, issuing a nine-point Tikapur Declaration that laid special emphasis on the development of a digital parliament system in both federal parliament and all province assemblies.
The document calls for ensuring civic participation in parliamentary affairs through the information technology and developing a ‘Digital Parliament’ system for coordination and connectivity among legislatures.
The two-day event held in Tikapur of Kailali, discussed effective implementation of cooperation, collaboration and co-existence in lawmaking and administrative functions at the federal, province and local levels, while by assimilating the spirit of federal democratic republic as envisaged by the Constitution.
The document has stated that effective parliamentary collaboration and inter-connectivity will be established to make the legislative functions including the law enactment by the federal, province and local-levels prompt and transparent.
To achieve this goal, all the province assemblies will establish federal-province coordination unit and the functions of the Secretariat of the Inter-Legislature Forum will be undertaken by the Province Assembly Liaison and Coordination Division under the Federal Parliament Secretariat.
Similarly, special initiatives will be taken for establishing a legislative academy to make lawmaking and legislative affairs based on research and innovation and to implement programmes aiming to enhance competency of people’s representatives and employees at the federal parliament, province assemblies and the local governments.
As stated in the Declaration, works will be advanced within the current fiscal year to establish a Parliamentary Budget Office for increasing efficiency of government policies and programmes, pre-budget discussions and parliamentary budget formulation procedures, ensuring that they are results-oriented.
The document further commits to organising interactions, discussions and review programmes among officials and employees at three-tiers to facilitate the exchange of best legislative practices and improve managerial efficiency.
It further draws the attention of the concerned authorities to the direct impact in the operation of province assemblies and the enactment of laws due to problems in the employee’s management at the province-level.
To address this issue, the meeting reached a conclusion that the government should be requested to make necessary legislation for the establishment of an integrated service system for employees at the Federal Parliament and the Province Assemblies in accordance with Article 231 (3) of the Constitution concerning the legislative interrelations between the federation and provinces.
The convention also expressed its serious concerns over the matters of making the deliveries and roles of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (HoR), Vice-Chair of the National Assembly and Deputy Speakers of the Province Assemblies more effective and results-oriented.
It has been stated that a committee coordinated by National Assembly (NA) Secretary Tul Bahadur Kunwar along with Koshi Province Assembly Secretary Sudarshan Khadka and Lumbini Province Assembly Secretary Durlav Kumar Pun Magar will be formed to study about the Nepal’s Constitution and the existing laws and submit a report within three months.
Forum’s 12th convention will be held in Karnali Province. #nepal #rss
