Kathmandu, October 5
The Law, Justice and Human Rights Committee of the House of Representatives has ruled that lawmakers should not address other MPs by name during committee meetings.
Committee chairperson Samiksha Baskota issued the ruling to ensure that committee meetings are conducted in an orderly manner.
Opening Monday’s meeting, Baskota said, “Let us not refer to individuals by name during discussions. Let us not interrupt others while they are speaking or try to speak before it is our turn. It is the responsibility of all of us to conduct the meeting in an orderly manner.”
The committee’s agenda includes a briefing by the committee secretary on bills received by the committee and a general discussion on the Mediation (Second Amendment) Bill, 2083.
According to the committee secretariat, besides the Mediation (Second Amendment) Bill, the Nepal Law Commission (First Amendment) Bill and the Free Legal Aid Bill are also under clause-by-clause discussion.
A total of 66 amendment proposals have been registered by 12 lawmakers on the Mediation (Second Amendment) Bill introduced by Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Sobita Gautam.
The bill aims to make the mediation process more inclusive, transparent and effective; ensure representation and protection of women, Dalits and vulnerable parties; introduce strict provisions to invalidate mediation conducted under fear, intimidation, threats or pressure; and give greater authority to judicial committees at the local level, among other provisions.
The Nepal Law Commission Act (First Amendment) Bill, 2083, proposes that the Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs serve as the chairperson of the commission.
Currently, the chairperson of the commission is required to be a person qualified for appointment as a Supreme Court justice. The proposed bill provides that the Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs would serve as the chairperson.
