UML opposes bill to revive dormant ordinance provisions, government defends move

The House of Representatives held a policy-level discussion on Tuesday on the "Bill to Revive Provisions of Certain Nepal Acts, 2083."

During the discussion, opposition lawmakers raised questions about the government's move.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sobita Gautam explained the reason for bringing the bill.

According to her, after the ordinance related to the removal of public officeholders became dormant, the provisions it had amended became vacant, and the bill has been brought to legally reinstate those provisions.

The government had issued the ordinance under Article 114 of the constitution on Baisakh 19.

The bill proposes to revive old provisions in 85 laws.

Lawmakers asked why officeholders were removed through the ordinance in the first place if the old provisions were meant to be restored.

UML MP Pushpa Raj Kandel said the bill was entirely unnecessary, saying that reviving, three months later, provisions that had been removed raises questions about the government's slogan of stability and good governance.

UML opposed the bill, saying that if this logic were followed, the old parliament should also be revived.

Opposition MP Balawati Sharma called the ordinance arbitrary and vindictive, saying it had removed nearly 1,600 officeholders and left 85 state institutions disputed and leaderless.

A motion to consider the bill was passed unanimously.

Lawmakers can now register amendment proposals, after which the bill will be sent to the concerned committee for clause-wise discussion.