Inter-Legislature Forum submits Pokhara Declaration to PM Oli

March 3, Kathmandu: A seven-point Pokhara Declaration, issued at the 10th Conference of the Inter-Legislature Forum, Nepal, has been submitted to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

The document was presented to the Prime Minister during a program held at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence in Baluwatar on Wednesday. The Conference was organised on December 16 – 18, 2024 in Pokhara, Kaski, the capital of Gandaki Province.

Present at the handover ceremony were House of Representatives (HoR) Speaker Devraj Ghimire, National Assembly (NA) Chair Narayana Prasad Dahal, Deputy Speaker Indira Rana, NA Vice Chair Bimala Ghimire, along with speakers and deputy speakers from all seven provinces and Federal Parliament Secretary General Padam Prasad Pandey.

The declaration emphasizes the promotion of reciprocal relations among the three assemblies, particularly in the context of drafting laws under the concurrent rights of federal, provincial, and local levels, aiming to accelerate the implementation of federalism and the Constitution.

Similarly, it pledges to initiate further clarification on the roles of the HoR Deputy Speaker, NA Vice Chair, and provincial deputy speakers within the relevant regulations, to promote coordination and facilitate the activities of parliamentary thematic committees effectively.

The declaration also specifies that an evaluation of implementation of laws and post-legislative audits will be carried out at both the federal and provincial levels, in coordination with the government, with provisions for these evaluations incorporated into the relevant regulations.

It has been stated that a trend will be established to meticulously study government policies and programmes, principles and priorities, the proposed budget, and budget expenditures at the legislature level, while also providing training to legislators.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Oli echoed the need to accelerate coordination and collaboration among governments at all levels and legislators.

He expressed his readiness to facilitate this process on behalf of the federal government. He advised Parliament to consider the country’s economic status when proposing the budget and also urged the relevant ministers to take into account proposals forwarded by parliamentary leadership, recognizing their importance.