Kathmandu, Dec 14: Speaker Devraj Ghimire has said parliament is an independent body. It is not an organ of executive, but a supreme platform of people’s representatives, he asserted.
“Parliament service must be made living and dynamic,” he said, adding that parliament is the sovereign place that shapes nation’s future.
The parliament service was made an autonomous service in recognition to the dignity of the parliamentary exercise 19 years back, Ghimire reminded, adding that parliament sees diversity in political thoughts and party interests. But, the employees of this service need to be neutral.
“I reiterate that parliament is not an organ of government, but a sovereign place,” he said, blaming that government that it was invisibly creating restriction on parliament and parliament secretariat in a financial and administrative manners.
The Speaker further argued that once parliament is weakened, democracy is enfeebled. Enfeebled democracy further dents the nation. Parliament is the right place to address the grievances and demands raised by the Gen Z youths.
Election is beauty of democracy: Chair Dahal.
At the same programme, Chairman of the National Assembly, Narayan Prasad Dahal, viewed parliament keeps oversight on government activities in addition to law making.
“As the old building for parliament meeting was torched during the September Gen Z protest and the new one is yet to be fully prepared, it takes time for holding the National Assembly meeting,” he informed, arguing that election is the beauty of democracy. He called on all sides for their cooperation to hold the upcoming election to House of Representatives in a free and fair manner.
Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Anil Kumar Sinha, said government was committed to extending policy and institutional support for strengthening parliament service so that laws would be made clear and understandable.
Deputy Speaker Indira Ranamagar viewed parliament secretariat is a university for those willing to learn law making and parliamentary affairs.
Vice Chairperson of the National Assembly, Bimala Ghimire, said people’s voices were left unheard due to not having the House of Representatives at such critical time.
