Discussion on the constitution amendment bill could not proceed on Sunday due to the usual obstruction of the parliamentary business by the Madhes-based parties.

The Parliament Secretariat, after an agreement among three major parties, had incorporated the Amendment Bill into the agenda for discussion at the Legislature-Parliament.

The eight Madhes-based parties started sloganeering in the House after Speaker Onsari Gharti allowed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamal Thapa to speak. Thapa was scheduled to inform Parliament about his recent visit to India. The agitating parties have been demanding first slot for address in the House arguing that their concern is more important than others’.

Despite frequent requests from Speaker Gharti, lawmakers from the Tarai did not relent. She tried repeatedly to convince them that they would get sufficient time for address and that the constitution amendment proposal, which addresses some of their demands, cannot move forward if they continue their obstruction.

The Sushil Koirala-led government had, on October 8, registered the Amendment Bill to address two demands of the regional parties. The amendments are related to proportional inclusive representation of marginalised communities in state bodies and delineation of electoral constituencies with priority for population.

The Tarai parties maintain that they will not allow the parliamentary business to proceed until there is a package deal on their demands. They are opposed to the bill as it was tabled “without our consent”.

The ruling CPN-UML, which had initially stood against the amendment proposal, agreed to support it following indication from India that the border blockade could be lifted if the bill was passed, according to leaders.

‘Expedite efforts to end crisis’

KATHMANDU: The Social Justice and Human Rights Committee of the Parliament on Sunday directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to speed up the diplomatic efforts to end the blockade imposed by India. The committee members during a meeting at Singha Durbar stated that the government’s efforts are not enough to end the blockade.

“We direct the government to hold a meaningful dialogue protecting national interest and sovereignty,” the committee said, adding that current humanitarian crisis is caused due to heavy reliance on India. The committee directed the government to sign trade and transit treaties with other countries to import essential things.