Sobita Gautam

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal and Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai separately met with Patrick John Rata, the non-resident Ambassador of New Zealand to Nepal, on May 27. During these meetings, discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations and mutual cooperation between Nepal and New Zealand.

Both the House of Representatives and the National Assembly convened their sessions on May 27, with Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle presenting the Economic Survey for the fiscal year 2082/83 BS in both chambers. Additionally, the House of Representatives began deliberations on the Film Bill, 2082 BS, and the Intangible Cultural Property (Protection) Bill, 2081 BS, both of which originated in the National Assembly.

The House of Representatives has unanimously passed two election-related amendment bills: the House of Representatives Members Election (First Amendment) Bill, 2083, and the Voter Name List (First Amendment) Bill, 2083. These bills were presented by Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Sobita Gautam on behalf of Prime Minister Balendra Shah to replace previous ordinances related to election law amendments.

Nepal's House of Representatives has unanimously passed two bills concerning elections: the 'House of Representatives Members Election (First Amendment) Bill, 2083' and the 'Voter Name List (First Amendment) Bill, 2083'. These bills are intended to replace previous ordinances related to election law amendments. Minister Sobita Gautam presented the proposals on behalf of Prime Minister Balendra Shah.

Speaker DP Aryal proceeded with parliamentary business in the House of Representatives on Thursday despite ongoing protests and slogan chanting by opposition lawmakers demanding the presence of Prime Minister Balen Shah. Following a brief adjournment and discussions between Speaker Aryal and Prime Minister Shah, the session resumed with the Speaker moving forward with the agenda, including the presentation of an election-related ordinance by Minister Sobita Gautam, while opposition parties continued their obstruction.

The House of Representatives convened for a session that was delayed by 30 minutes, with opposition parties disrupting proceedings to protest the absence of Prime Minister Balen Shah. Lawmakers are demanding the Prime Minister's presence for a mandatory question and answer session, accusing him of ignoring parliamentary regulations. The session is expected to proceed with the endorsement of two bills and clause-wise deliberations on others.

Opposition Leader Shalikram Jamkattel of the Bagmati Province Assembly has urged the government to prioritize the election of a Speaker before presenting the policy and program and budget. He stated that it is shameful for the assembly to be without a Speaker for an extended period and warned that other agendas cannot proceed until this post is filled. Jamkattel pledged the opposition's cooperation in electing a Speaker swiftly.

Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Sobita Gautam, stated that the government is committed to bringing transitional justice to a logical conclusion. Speaking at a Federal Parliament committee meeting, she announced that regulations for transitional justice commissions and victim compensation funds are now operational. The government is preparing a position paper and consulting with all parties and stakeholders to finalize this process.

Multiple parliamentary committees under the Federal Parliament convened for meetings to discuss various critical issues. The Public Accounts Committee focused on strategies for reducing arrears, while the Law, Justice and Human Rights Committee reviewed progress and action plans for the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. Other committees engaged in discussions related to the upcoming fiscal year's budget, human rights, and infrastructure development.

The House of Representatives approved proposals to consider three bills by a majority vote on Thursday, despite objections and protests from opposition lawmakers. Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Sobita Gautam, presented the bills on behalf of Prime Minister Balendra Shah. The bills advanced include amendments to the HoR Member Election and Voter List, along with the National Forensic Lab Establishment and Operation Bill.