Category: National

Kathmandu: The government’s policy and programme for the fiscal year 2083/84 has triggered wide political and economic debate with many viewing it as an indication of the administration’s future direction amid expectations of good governance, alternative leadership and a new political approach.

Presented in Parliament by President Ram Chandra Poudel, the 100 point policy document prioritizes information technology, green economy, energy, agriculture, tourism, startups and small enterprises. It also outlines goals including graduation to a middle income country, investment friendly policies, improved public service delivery and strengthened governance.

The document has drawn mixed reactions since its unveiling. Opposition parties have described it as a continuation of traditional policies, while ruling coalition leaders have defended it as a foundation for gradual reforms and economic improvement.

Senior opposition leader and lawmaker Arjun Narsingh KC criticised the programme, saying many of the commitments have been repeatedly included in previous government plans without producing meaningful change.

Economist Dilli Raj Khanal said the programme contains some positive indicators but lacks a clear roadmap for long term structural transformation. He noted that Nepal’s sluggish economy, declining private sector confidence, rising unemployment and inflation require more concrete and targeted measures.

The government, however, maintains that the programme is aimed at economic reform, greater private sector participation and the creation of new opportunities in the energy sector. According to economist KP Pandey, policies allowing greater private sector involvement in electricity trade, flexibility in transmission line policies and efforts to improve the investment climate could prove significant if implemented effectively.

Measures related to tax reform, control of under invoicing and relief for the middle class have also been viewed positively by some experts, who believe they could help stimulate the economy if executed properly.

A separate political discussion emerged after Prime Minister Balen Shah briefly left Parliament while the President was reading the policy document. Opposition leaders criticised the move, while government supporters described it as a routine administrative matter.

Analysts say the public is now more focused on results than promises, amid growing frustration over unemployment, inflation, migration and weak public service delivery.

Economist Kusum Shakya said the success of the policy and programme will ultimately depend on implementation, noting that Nepal has long struggled not with policy formulation but with execution.

Despite the mixed reactions, observers say the policy and programme has highlighted both opportunities for reform and the challenges ahead. The government’s biggest test, they say, will be its ability to translate commitments into visible results for the public.

Kathmandu: President Ram Chandra Poudel on Tuesday summoned Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal to Shital Niwas following controversy surrounding Prime Minister Balen Shah walking out of Parliament during the presentation of the government’s policy and programme.

According to the President’s Secretariat, the two leaders discussed recent political developments during the meeting held at the presidential residence.

However, the Speaker’s Secretariat has not disclosed details of the discussion publicly.

The controversy erupted after Prime Minister Shah left the joint session of the Federal Parliament on Monday while President Paudel was still presenting the government’s policy and programme for the upcoming fiscal year 2026/27.

The incident triggered criticism from opposition parties and political analysts, who described the move as inappropriate and against parliamentary norms.

Speaker Aryal has also faced criticism, with some lawmakers accusing him of failing to maintain parliamentary decorum and discipline during the House session.

Kathmandu: The Supreme Court has issued a short term interim order directing the government not to implement its decision to remove student unions from universities for the time being.

The order was issued on Monday by a single bench of Justice Shreekant Paudel. The court has also summoned both parties for further discussion before deciding whether to grant an interim order.

The government had introduced an ordinance to remove student unions from universities and dissolve the Free Student Union FSU.

Challenging the decision, leaders from various student organisations including ANNFSU chairperson Deepak Dhami, filed a writ petition at the Supreme Court on April 25, demanding the annulment of the government’s decision.

The Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers has been named as the defendant in the case.

During the hearing, the Supreme Court also issued a show cause order, asking the government to explain why the order sought by the petitioners should not be granted.

KATHMANDU: Lawmakers from opposition parties have objected to the government’s decision to introduce an ordinance, accusing it of bypassing Parliament.

Speaking at a meeting of the House of Representatives’ Law, Justice and Human Rights Committee held at Singha Durbar on Monday, opposition members said that bringing an ordinance despite having a near two thirds majority undermines democratic norms and parliamentary practice.

Nepali Congress lawmaker Madan Krishna Shrestha said ordinances have been controversial in the past and urged the government not to repeat such practices.

He stressed that rushing an ordinance by sidelining Parliament goes against democratic principles. Shrestha added that if bills are discussed thoroughly in Parliament and its committees, they are more likely to gain broader ownership and acceptance.

Similarly, CPN-UML lawmaker Suhang Nembang said there were shortcomings in both the ordinance process and the handling of issues concerning landless (squatter) communities. He questioned what prevented the government despite its clear majority from amending or repealing outdated laws through Parliament.

Nembang warned that bypassing Parliament through ordinances weakens democratic values, parliamentary norms, and constitutional integrity.

He also emphasized that while there is consensus on the need to resolve the problems of landless citizens, solutions must be constitutional, lawful, humane, and include proper alternatives and rehabilitation measures.

He added that the government should act with greater sensitivity when addressing citizens’ rights.