Nepal PM Balen Shah to face lawmakers' questions in Parliament

Nepal's Prime Minister Balen Shah is set to face direct questioning from lawmakers in the House of Representatives on August 26. The session is being organized in accordance with Rule 56 of the House of Representatives Regulations, which mandates a dedicated hour each month for such inquiries.

Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal has scheduled the question-and-answer session, a provision designed to enhance parliamentary oversight. Rule 56 stipulates that the first hour of a meeting during the first week of every month should be allocated for questions directly related to the prime minister or issues within his purview. The rule also includes a clause for rescheduling if the House cannot convene on the designated day.

While the provision for direct questioning has not been consistently implemented, the Speaker's recent scheduling aims to address the delay. Lawmakers wishing to question Prime Minister Shah must adhere to Rule 58, which requires them to submit written details of their questions to the Speaker at least three days prior to the meeting. The Speaker will then exercise authority under Rule 59 to determine the admissibility of submitted questions and outline any further procedures.

Adding a layer of transparency, Rule 57 suggests that the question-and-answer session may be broadcast live through government and other media outlets. Notably, Rule 60 states that no discussion will be held in the House regarding the answers provided by the prime minister during this specific question-and-answer provision, ensuring a focused exchange.