KATHMANDU, Aug 18: President Ram Baran Yadav on Friday rejected two election-related ordinances recommended by the caretaker government in July, sending a message that he will not approve ordinances that does not "satisfy" him or lack minimum understanding among parties.
While rejecting the ordinances, the president´s office argued that the they are not "relevant" in light of the cancellation of the November 22 polls. [break]But the president´s advisors said the decision should be understood in a broader way.
"The decision should be seen as the president will not approve each and every ordinance recommended by the government unless he is satisfied," said Rajendra Dahal, the president´s press advisor.
"The decision means that he will reject each and every ordinance recommended by cabinet if they lack common political understanding," said Dahal.
While rejecting the ordinances, the president invoked Artice 88 (1) of the Interim Constitution. The Article 88 (1) if at any time, except when the session or meeting of the Legislature-Parliament is not in recess, the President is satisfied that it is necessary to take immediate action, the President may, on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers, promulgate any Ordinance as required without prejudice to the provisions set forth in the Interim Constitution.
The president´s decision has come at a time when the government is making preparations to recommend around a dozen ordinances to him for promulgation.
The decision also comes amid sharp divisions between the ruling parties and the opposition over the issue of ordinances. The opposition has been consistantly exerting pressure on the president not to approve ordinances recommended by the caretaker government.
However, the president has already approved the budget, two ordinances on anti-money laundering and another on the perks and facilities for former VIPS.
The president has already publicly spoken against the government move to rule the country through ordinances. And Dahal said the president decided not to promulgate the ordinance related to the election as they lacked "minimum political understanding".
Though Dahal said that the president took the decision taking the prime minister in confidence, none of the officials close to the prime minister were available for comment.
"The president had informed the prime minister on Thursday that he was not going to promulgate the ordinance," Dahal told Republica when asked whether the prime minister knew about the president´s decision before it was taken.
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