The Draft Rules Committee of the House of Representatives has proposed giving members of parliament (MPs) seven days to study bills. MPs are required to notify the secretariat of any amendments within 72 hours after the conclusion of general discussion. Following amendments, clause-by-clause discussions will take place in the House or parliamentary committees, with the amenders receiving time to justify their changes. Kathmandu, 29 Chaitra.
After the conclusion of the theoretical debate on a bill registered in the House of Representatives, MPs are allowed to propose amendments. Currently, MPs have 72 hours to submit amendments. MPs have previously expressed concerns that this 72-hour period is insufficient. Taking this into account, the Draft Rules Committee is preparing to extend the study period by an additional week before amendments can be submitted.
This will provide MPs with adequate time to review the contents of the bills. Upon registration, copies of the bill must be made available to all MPs within two days for government bills and within four days for private member bills. The new proposal suggests that theoretical debates can only begin in the House seven days after the bill has been placed in the pigeonhole.
Ganesh Parajuli, Chairperson of the Draft Rules Committee of the House of Representatives, emphasized the need to secure sufficient time for amendments. Once the motion to consider a bill is approved, MPs wishing to propose amendments must submit notifications, including the proposed changes, to the secretariat within 72 hours after the general discussion period concludes.
