Acting Prime Minister Bam Dev Gautam fixed the date after consulting with President Yadav and the Cabinet members. Sources said that Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, who is currently in New York for medical examination, had told Gautam and the Nepali Congress ministers not to delay the presentation, owing to his absence.  

Officials at the Parliament Secretariat said there is no problem in presenting policies and programmes in the absence of the prime minister.

As per the article 53 of the Interim Constitution, President Yadav wrote a letter to the Parliament on Tuesday about presenting the policies and programmes. Constituent Assembly Chairman Subas Nembang read out the letter sent by the President’s Office before the Parliament, and instructed the lawmakers to be present at the Parliament by 2:30 pm on Sunday. Head of the constitutional bodies, diplomats, and high level government officials will also be present on the day.  

A Cabinet meeting will have to endorse the annual policies and programmes of the government before forwarding it to the President.