NATIONAL 1 (Spotlight Weekly)]

Smooth Beginning

The beginning of the eighteenth session is smooth, but will it remain so in the days to come

By KESHAB POUDEL

The longest budget session of parliament kicked off peacefully after a speech by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Unlike previous years, the beginning was peaceful as all political parties remained quiet. When the last winter session was concluded abruptly without UML's consent, many believed that the beginning of new session would be a violent one with parties trying to settle scores with each other.

But the first day of eighteenth session of the parliament was quiet and peaceful as it started in a cordial mood when Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and opposition party leader Madhav Kumar Nepal shook hands with each other.

When the leader of the opposition bench and treasury bench shook their hands with each other, the environment of the budget session was markedly different to the one that was there less than two months ago. The last winter session was abruptly ended with the government and opposition MPs sharing bitter experiences.

In a humorous environment Speaker Ranabhat began the Monday's (May 15) House proceedings asking ministers to pay due attention to the session of the House.

Last winter session of parliament witnessed some dramatic political events. After the resignation of Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, Girija Prasad Koirala was elected as the parliamentary party leader of congress and appointed as new prime minister.

Although the business of the House of Representative will start only after the Royal address to the parliament, the first day of the session has its own importance. Speaker Ranabhat announced at the parliament that King Birendra will address the joint session of parliament on 19th of May, 2000.

Packed with the presence of almost all parliamentary members of different political parties, the first day session was full of cordial exchanges. But the question nagging at the back of everyone is will the parliament proceedings continue to be cordial in the coming days or will it end up like its predecessor?

"If the government fulfills our demand peacefully, there is no question of disturbing the parliamentary process. It is up to the government what type of situation it wants to face," said Subhas Chandra Nembang, Chairman of Public Accounts Committee and CPN-UML leader.

Following the agreement between main opposition party CPN-UML and the government, nearly two months long battle between the two was ended recently.

The last session of parliament was disrupted on Rautahat incident with UML demanding the resignation of State Minister Mohammad Altaf Alam charging him of abducting and torturing their local leader.

The CPN-UML agreed to allow the smooth functioning of the parliament after the government decided to form an independent judicial commission to probe it.

This time the budget session has been summoned nearly one and a half month earlier than the previous years. It is supposed to go on for four months from now.

The budget session of the parliament has, among others, to pass annual government expenditures and some bills concerning various issues.

All political parties have already unanimously agreed to pass controversial citizenship amendment act and Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority Act. There are also more than two dozens bills pending at different committees of parliament.

As budget session is regarded as an important session for the parliament, the 18th session will also hopefully bring something positive to the people.