President presents government’s policies and programs in parliament

Kathmandu: The government’s policies and programs for the next fiscal year 2023/24 have been presented in the Federal Parliament. President Ramchandra Paudel is now reading out the policies and programs in the joint meeting of both houses of the Federal Parliament in the Federal Parliament Building, Naya Baneshwor.

The meeting started at 4 pm. At the outset of the meeting, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ handed over a copy of the policies and programs to the President. As per the constitutional provision, the President shall address either a meeting of any House or a joint sitting of both Houses of the Federal Parliament and summon the MPs.

This is the first address to the parliament after Paudel’s election to the post of President. In countries having parliamentary democracy, there is a practice of presenting the government’s annual policies and programs in the Federal Parliament and the parliament passing the same after deliberations on them.

Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Dahal, and Acting Chief Justice Hari Krishna Karki have arrived at the Parliament Building to witness the presentation of the government’s policies and programs. National Assembly Chair Ganesh Prasad Timilsina is also alongside Speaker Devraj Ghimire who is chairing the joint session.

Leaders of political parties, heads and representatives of constitutional bodies, high-ranking government officials, heads of the Nepal-based diplomatic missions, and distinguished persons from various walks of life are present in the parliament.

Before this, the Speaker, the National Assembly Chair, the Deputy Speaker, and the Minister for Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs welcomed the President to the Parliament Building. A contingent of the Nepali Army offered a guard of honor to the President on the occasion.

The President reached the Parliament Building in a cavalcade. The House of Representatives and the National Assembly will hold their separate meetings today after the joint sitting is over. The Prime Minister will table a copy of the President’s address to the joint sitting in separate meetings as well.

Both Houses of the Federal Parliament will deliberate on the government’s policies and programs for some days beginning Sunday. The Prime Minister will reply to the queries raised by lawmakers in the course of the deliberations. There is a constitutional provision that requires the Finance Minister to present in the House the annual budget for the next fiscal year on the 15th of Jestha every year after the policies and programs are passed by the parliament.