House adjourned amidst opposition protest

KATHMANDU, April 1: The parliamentary proceedings was adjourned on Friday after lawmakers from the main opposition Nepali Congress (NC) demanded clarifications from the prime minister over resignation of Finance Secretary Rameshore Khanal, fake VAT receipt racket and deteriorating law and order situation in the country.



This is the second time NC lawmakers obstructed the House meeting demanding prime minister´s clarification on the issues. The last meeting on Wednesday was also disrupted for similar reasons.[break]



Though Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bharat Mohan Adhikari was also present at the meeting, he couldn´t put his views due to objection from the opposition party.



No sooner had Speaker Subas Nembang allowed Adhikari to respond the opposition´s concern that NC lawmakers obstructed the house saying they wouldn´t allow the House meeting proceedings until Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal replies the issues raised in the meeting.



“We will not allow the House proceedings to continue as long as the prime minister doesn´t clarify the issues in the House,” NC Chief Whip Laxman Ghimire said at the meeting. After NC lawmakers´ protests, the speaker adjourned the House session until Monday.



Emerging from the parliament hall, visibly infuriated DPM Adhikari accused NC lawmakers of depriving him of his right to furnish clarification.



“Most of the issues they have raised are directly related to my ministry. Therefore I demanded time for clarification,” Adhikari told reporters. “This is against the principles of natural justice.”

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