Kathmandu, November 9
The government has decided to introduce two ordinances, both of which have been sent to the President’s Office for approval.
A Cabinet meeting on November 3 decided to introduce an ordinance amending the Press Council Nepal Act, 1992, and another to amend certain Nepal Acts, including those related to culture, tourism and civil aviation.
The President’s Office has confirmed receiving both ordinances.
“The ordinances have arrived. The holidays have also begun,” an official at the President’s Office said. According to the official, the documents are currently under review.
President Ram Chandra Paudel’s press adviser, Kiran Pokharel, also confirmed that the ordinances had been received.
Under the Constitution, the President can issue an ordinance on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers when immediate action is required at a time when sessions of both houses of the Federal Parliament are not in progress.
Article 114 of the Constitution states that the President may issue an ordinance on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers if immediate action is necessary when Parliament is not in session. An ordinance issued in this manner has the same force as an Act.
Once issued, an ordinance must be presented before both houses of the Federal Parliament. If it is not approved by both houses, or if it is not replaced by a bill that becomes law, it automatically becomes inactive 60 days after being presented to Parliament.
The President can also revoke an ordinance at any time.
The government has not disclosed what provisions the two ordinances contain or explained why they were considered necessary.
However, the proposed Press Council ordinance reportedly includes provisions to bring social media pages engaged in journalistic activities within the scope of the journalist code of conduct.
