Kathmandu, 24 Aug: Budget session of parliament was prorogued Friday by a majority decision of four parties amid Maoist opposition.The budget session was also the second session of the interim parliament.There was no agreement between ruling eight parties to prorogue parliament even as they unanimously agreed one day earlier Thursday to nationalize nine royal palaces, most of them historical sites, in the King’s name.Congress, NC-D, CPN-UML and United Left Front agreed to prorogue the legislature as Nepal Majdoor Kishan Party and NSP and Janamorcha backed CPN (Maoist) Maoists by demanding parliament session should go into recess only.Four parties said parliament should be prorogued to enable lawmakers to go to their constituencies to prepare the country for the 22 November assembly elections still doubtful because of a bad law and order situation.Critics argued Maoists didn’t want assembly elections to which Maoists replied by saying Congress was encouraging secession in terai.Maoists demanded parliament should continue to discuss important issues, including declaration of a republic.
Lawmakers against suspension argued opponents of elections could conspire to foiling elections in the absence of parliament; Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala again reiterated Friday election will be held on schedule.There was no consensus between eight parties despite a five-hour effort to forge a common eight-party approach on suspending the interim parliament’s budget session.Twenty-three bills and the budget were approved by the legislature.Parliament can be recalled if demanded by one-fourth members.Speaker Subash Newang said the 54-day session was historic and important.Home Minister Krishna Prasad Shitaula told parliament any assets held by Late King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya and their family members before 1 June 2001 have been frozen.Their sale and transfer has been stopped through notification to the Land Reforms Ministry, Shitaula said.Shitaula was furnishing details of a government decision to nationalize assets of the King and other members of the royal family.Critics said the move to nationalize palaces was only cosmetic because some palaces were either in the name of the government or were buildings of national and cultural importance.
The King and Queen will continue to reside at Narayanhiti Royal Palace until another arrangement.Shitaula told parliament the next cabinet will discuss how to handle forests held by Late King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya.Communication Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara said Friday his party will launch movement the next day if constituent assembly isn’t held 22 November.Dr Shekhar Koirala, Congress central committee member and nephew of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, said in Biratnagar Friday Congress will approach assembly election with federal republic agenda.
Lawmakers against suspension argued opponents of elections could conspire to foiling elections in the absence of parliament; Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala again reiterated Friday election will be held on schedule.There was no consensus between eight parties despite a five-hour effort to forge a common eight-party approach on suspending the interim parliament’s budget session.Twenty-three bills and the budget were approved by the legislature.Parliament can be recalled if demanded by one-fourth members.Speaker Subash Newang said the 54-day session was historic and important.Home Minister Krishna Prasad Shitaula told parliament any assets held by Late King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya and their family members before 1 June 2001 have been frozen.Their sale and transfer has been stopped through notification to the Land Reforms Ministry, Shitaula said.Shitaula was furnishing details of a government decision to nationalize assets of the King and other members of the royal family.Critics said the move to nationalize palaces was only cosmetic because some palaces were either in the name of the government or were buildings of national and cultural importance.
The King and Queen will continue to reside at Narayanhiti Royal Palace until another arrangement.Shitaula told parliament the next cabinet will discuss how to handle forests held by Late King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya.Communication Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara said Friday his party will launch movement the next day if constituent assembly isn’t held 22 November.Dr Shekhar Koirala, Congress central committee member and nephew of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, said in Biratnagar Friday Congress will approach assembly election with federal republic agenda.
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