Lower House Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara on Friday censured lawmakers for not attending an important House meeting on Thursday after signing the attendance register.

A miffed Mahara told the Lower House, “I draw the attention of all lawmakers to be present in the House.”

Thursday’s meeting was postponed by 45 minutes, as no minister was present. The House requires the presence of at least one minister to commence its business.

Record shows 175 Members of Parliament (MPs) out of 222 sneaked out on Thursday after signing the register to ensure the House officially records their attendance.

Their diligence to sign the register, before they did their vanishing act, was to ensure they do not forfeit meeting and transport allowances they are entitled.

The Speaker urged the government to ensure MPs report for meetings by the stipulated time.

Starting last Wednesday, the MPs discussed the government’s plans and policies for fiscal year 2018/19. They concluded their discussions. Voting on Sunday would decide their recommendations after Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli answers lawmakers’ queries.

The first meeting of the federal parliament that comprises HoR and National Assembly was held on March 5 after the completion of three tiers of elections.

It is not even three months since the federal parliament started functioning amidst a lot of brouhaha and pledges of commitments for a new beginning and new vision to propel Nepal’s development with good governance under Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s leadership.

Nepal Communist Party (NCP) has just started its work after the merger of the two parties. Instead of seriously working for the country, lawmakers have already started skipping crucial meetings, interestingly after marking their attendance.

Lawmakers skipping meetings after marking their attendance is not new. It has happened in the past too. House meetings were adjourned at least a dozen of times because of lack of quorum last year.