With parties failing to reach consensus on disputed issues of parliamentary regulations even after months, six amendments have been registered by five parties seeking amendments to some of the provisions, mainly on the size of the parliamentary hearing committee, in the draft so as to sort the matter out at the earliest.

The process to finalise parliamentary regulations has entered the final phase with the registration of amendment proposals on Monday, said leaders, adding that if efforts to find consensus fails, the regulations will be finalised through voting.

However, leaders said they are still hopeful of reaching a compromise by the end of this month.

The Regulation Drafting Committee had started its work about six months ago, weeks after the promulgation of the constitution, but after failing to forge consensus, it had submitted its report on May 2 at the full House along with the disputed issues. The size of the parliamentary hearing committee has remained the major bone of contention. The ruling parties have called for a 15-member hearing committee, as envisioned by the constitution.

For parliamentary hearing, Article 292 (2) of the Constitution of Nepal says: “… there shall be a 15-member joint committee consisting of members of both Houses of Federal Parliament, in accordance with the Federal law”.

But the main opposition Nepali Congress has been making a pitch for a 73-member hearing committee, which will be the continuation of the old provision.

In the amendment proposal registered by chief whips of the ruling parties, they have sought a provision as per which the nominations can be rejected by the two-thirds majority.

Anand Dhungana and Chandra Devi Joshi of the NC also have registered an amendment proposal on rejection of nominations, but they have sought such rejection on the basis of simple majority, according to Sudarshan Kuikel deputy spokesperson for the Parliament Secretariat.

Besides the ruling alliance and the main opposition, Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party (NMKP) has registered two amendment proposals while Janata Dal and Khumbuwan Party have registered one each, but they are not related with the hearing committee.

The lack of parliamentary regulations has resulted in delay of hearing of chief justice, 11 Supreme Court justices and 22 ambassadors despite their recommendations for the posts. Sushila Karki, who was recommended for the post of chief justice in April, has been performing her duties as acting chief justice as there is no hearing committee to conduct the constitutional provision of parliamentary hearing.

The ruling parties have said the parliamentary regulations will be finalised through vote in Parliament, most likely in the first week of June.

The next Parliament meeting has been called for May 26 for pre-budget discussions.