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Opposition parties have urged the government to call the winter session of the Parliament.

During a press conference organized in the Capital on Friday, CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal warned that they would be compelled to start the process to call a special session if Parliament session is not convened immediately.

Objecting to the ordinances that recently got the presidential stamp of approval, the former Prime Minister said that they would come up with stern protests if such activities are not corrected.

“The majority should respect the minority in the parliamentary system. We are of the opinion that the trend of abusing the state agencies to fulfill their vested interests, tendency of avoiding the Parliament, making political decisions in a biased manner will put the democracy at stake,” leader Dahal said, adding, “That is why, we opposition parties, respecting the dignity of the Parliament, urged the government to call the winter session of the Parliament at the earliest.”

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said the government is making efforts to promote the health and education sectors.

In his address to the first convocation of the Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences as the Academy Chancellor, the Prime Minister claimed a progress and transformation in each sectors.

Assimilating the approach of 'prosperous Nepal, happy Nepali', the modernized version, as he said, of the motto of 'Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah' (May all be happy), promoted by our sages, the government is working to achieve the goal, he added.

Describing Kaski as the place of commencement of the Vedic science, he said this is a glorious history for us.

The PM also took time to say that Nepal will explore the venture for development with the utilization of artificial intelligence.

He said, "China could elevate such an enormous size of population from the poverty line in a short time. We should also gear up for building the nation. If we work, Nepal will be built." PM and Academy Chancellor Oli wished the graduates to prove themselves as an exemplary and integrated personality for the society.

On the occasion, thirty-eight graduates under the MD and MS courses in the year 2080 BS took part in the convocation.

The Prime Minister honoured Arbind Kumar Shah (Orthopedics) and Ashish Sapkota (General Surgery) with the Vice Chancellor Award for their outstanding performances.

University Pro-Chancellor and Minister for Health and Population, Pradip Paudel, were present on the occasion.

Prof Magnus Westgren from Karolinska University of Stockholm, Sweden gave his speech. Academy Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Duk Bahadur Chhetri said that in course of expanding the services, the Academy has prepared for operating a 50-bed emergency ward.

Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has instructed the ministers representing the party in the present government to make its works effective.

In a meeting with the party officials and the ministers representing the party in the government held at his residence in Budhanilkantha today, President Deuba directed the ministers to deliver services on matters directly related to the public in a smooth and effective manner, said Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Ajaya Kumar Chaurasiya. "Make the service delivery on matters concerning the people prompt, efficient and transparent. Give priority to the Ministry's works rather than the party's works by managing the time in the right way," Minister Chaurasiya quoted Deuba as saying in the meeting. President Deuba also urged the ministers to extend the required cooperation in making the government more effective.

The party vice-president, general-secretary, leaders, the party's Chief Whip in the House of Representatives and the National Assembly were among those present in the meeting.

On the occasion, President Deuba acquired information from the ministers regarding ongoing works and the remaining works in their respective ministries.

He also directed the ministers to finalize the legislations under the ministries concerned before the commencement of the Parliament session.

Chief Whip of the NC Parliamentary Party Shyam Prasad Ghimire said today's meeting decided to work actively to make the government effective and successful, and to hold regular discussions on important topics.

According to him, discussions were also held to carry out works actively to finalize the bills under consideration at various committees and to speed up the process for conducting the physical infrastructure projects remaining from the past and other programmes under the jurisdiction of the ministries, among other topics.

Chief Whip Ghimire added that decision has been made in the meeting to take the required initiatives for completion of the development projects awaiting resources despite being included in the budget of the current fiscal year, those projects whose tender call has not been made and those projects whose works are not progressing as expected speed despite the starting of the construction works.

Decision has been made to have open meeting on two stipulated days in a week, to listen to the citizen's grievances, to take the suggestions and to become completely dedicated to the ministry's works in the remaining five days.

The parliamentary party working committee and the ministers shall make coordination through discussions regarding the lawmakers' concerns, suggestions and expectations.

Party President Deuba has also instructed the ministers to visit the party's central office once in a month regarding the suggestions and demands that come to the party central office through the party's province committee, the district committee, region and local levels.

Ten ministers and two ministers of state are representing the Nepali Congress in the present government headed by CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli.

On the occasion, the ministers had briefed Party President Deuba the meeting about the works being carried out by their respective ministries, the problems encountered and the concerns.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli held a press conference on Wednesday at Singhadurbar to unveil the contents of four newly issued ordinances. The government had initially planned to issue five ordinances on Jan 10, but the ordinance related to land management was deferred by President Ramchandra Paudel. However, right after the press conference, President Paudel certified the fifth ordinance too.

During the 34-minute press conference, there was no Q&A session. For the first 17 minutes, Chief Secretary Ek Narayan Aryal provided details about the issued ordinances, followed by Prime Minister Oli explaining why the ordinances were issued and the reasons for not convening a parliamentary session. Prime Minister Oli concluded the conference without facing questions from the press.

Prime Minister Oli has asserted that there is no disagreement within the ruling party regarding the ordinances introduced by the government. He emphasized that the unity within the government parties has been strengthened through this process. “There is no disagreement, not even by a letter. The ordinances have come with full consensus,” said Oli.

He also claimed that the ordinances were introduced after listening to the top leadership of the Nepali Congress, the leadership of the bureaucracy, expert consultations, and the issues facing entrepreneurs. “The ordinances have been brought after much effort and preparation. They address the problems of the people and also promote good governance and development,” he added.

Regarding the opposition’s efforts to form a coalition, Prime Minister Oli likened it to attempting to block a river by throwing stones from the riverbank. He urged opposition parties to exercise their right to protest in a peaceful and civilized manner. “I have heard about the formation of a front. That is their right, and I respect it. However, I just suggest that it be done in a civilized manner. It must be peaceful and orderly,” he said.

He also clarified that the ordinances are not aimed at any individual or group. Referring to discussions about the parliament being obstructed, he dismissed these as rumors. “Who said that parliament is blocked? Parliament cannot be stopped unless it has already been called. It was adjourned after discussions, not because it was obstructed,” he questioned.

Prime Minister Oli explained that the delay in calling the parliament was due to the time needed to prepare the bills. “On the first day of the House session, we will present the ordinances in parliament. Within 60 days, we will introduce the replacement bills and have them passed,” he concluded.

Earlier on Wednesday, parliamentarians representing opposition parties including the major opposition—CPN (Maoist Center)—called for immediate running of the winter session of parliament. The meeting of the opposition party convened at the CPN (Maoist Center)’s parliamentary party’s office, they emphasized the need to summon the winter session of the parliament to deliberate on matters of public concern as well as to dwell on formulating legislations. 

Emerging from the meeting, Barshaman Pun, deputy general secretary of the CPN (Maoist Center), shared that the opposition parties have reached an understanding that they will take action to call the special session of parliament if the incumbent government continues to function ‘deceiving’ the institution of people’s representatives (parliament).

The constitutional provision has it that the Head of the State can summon a parliamentary session or meeting if one fourth of the total number of House of Representatives requests in writing for the same deeming it appropriate action. The constitution mandates that it requires signatures from at least 69 parliamentarians to request the Head of the State to call the special session of the parliament.

In attendance in the meeting were CPN (Maoist Center) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal, CPN (Unified Socialist) Chairperson Madhav Kumar Nepal and Rastriya Swatantra Party’s Acting Chairperson DP Aryal and leaders from Rastriya Prajatantra Party and Nepal Aam Aadmi Party, among others.