KATHMANDU : Lawmakers of the main opposition party, CPN (UML), have boycotted today’s meeting of the National Assembly.
An agenda was set where Finance Minister Janardan Sharma was to present the proposal for clause-wise discussion on ‘Finance Bill-2079’ at the NA. The Bill was passed by the House of Representatives.
The CPN (UML) has been demanding formation of a probe committee, blaming the Finance Minister Sharma of manipulating tax rates in collusion with an unauthorized person a day before presenting budget in the parliament.
In the beginning of the meeting, CPN (UML) lawmaker Bhairab Sundar Shrestha said they would continue the protest until fair investigation is initiated into the case.
He shared that they boycotted the meeting as the UPN (UML) Parliamentary party meeting decided not to sit in the meeting until demand is addressed.
With this, the CPN (UML) lawmakers exited from the meeting, citing they would not participate in the discussion on the issue related with Finance Bill.
Meanwhile, National Assembly Chairperson Ganesh Prasad Timilsina forwarded the agenda ahead amidst the UML’s boycott.
The meeting passed the proposal for clause-wise discussion on the Finance Bill-2079 at the Upper House presented by Finance Minister Sharma with majority.
National Assembly passes budget-related bills
Meanwhile, the National Assembly today passed three separate bills related to the budget for the next fiscal year, amidst the boycott of the main opposition party, the CPN (UML).
The Upper House of the Federal Parliament passed the Finance Bill, 2079 BS, the Bill to Mobilize National Loans, 2079 BS and the Loans and Guarantee (Twenty-fifth Amendment) Bill, 2079 BS.
A meeting of the National Assembly passed by a majority a proposal presented by Finance Minister Janardan Sharma seeking the Upper House pass the budget-related three bills that have been received by the National Assembly with the message from the House of Representatives.
These bills which have been passed by the Upper House have been sent to the House of Representatives, the Lower House, along with the message.
The Lower House will have to endorse the bills.
The CPN (UML) lawmakers boycotted the meeting blaming that the tax rates in the budget were manipulated in collusion with an unauthorized person a day before presenting budget in the parliament.
The UML lawmakers exited from the assembly hall saying they were not taking part in the discussions on the topics related to the Finance Bill.
