Speaker defends PM Q&A session, rejects rule violation claims

KATHMANDU: Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal has clarified that there was no violation of parliamentary rules during the Prime Minister’s question-and-answer session in the House of Representatives.

The clarification came during Sunday’s meeting after opposition lawmakers objected, claiming that the House had breached the House Rules, 2079.

Raising a special point of order at the start of the session, lawmaker Yuvaraj Dulal argued that Rule 56(1) of the House Regulations requires written questions to the Prime Minister to be submitted at least three days in advance and allocates one hour specifically for the question-and-answer session.

He said these provisions were not followed and termed the breach of constitutional and procedural rules “regrettable.”

Similarly, MP Aina Mahara cited Rules 56(3) and 56(4), claiming that due procedures for submitting written questions and receiving structured responses had not been observed.

He urged the Speaker to ensure adherence to parliamentary norms, stressing that no one is above the constitution and the rules of procedure.

In response, Speaker Aryal asked lawmakers to re-read Rule 56 of the House Regulations.

He stated that since the Prime Minister had already arrived in the House in response to repeated demands from the opposition and was ready to answer questions, the mandatory provision of submitting written questions three days in advance did not apply in this context.

“The honorable members from the opposition benches have continuously raised this issue, and since the Prime Minister is present at the rostrum and ready to respond, the provision requiring written questions three days in advance is not applicable in this situation,” the Speaker said.

Following his clarification, the Speaker urged lawmakers to take their seats and proceeded with the House proceedings, allowing the Prime Minister’s question-and-answer session to continue.