April 15, Kathmandu – The government is preparing to introduce and amend over 100 new laws. The process of identifying pertinent subjects has been completed. According to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, 103 topics for new laws and amendments have been identified. Based on priorities, 22 ministries, including the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, are actively working on these legislative initiatives. The Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs is monitoring whether the legislative framework and procedures for these laws have been fully followed. This ministry is also supporting other ministries in drafting laws according to priority.
Among the list of over 100 proposed laws and amendments, the government plans to pass 40 to 45 bills in the upcoming session of the Federal Parliament. In this context, the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers is currently amending the Public Procurement Act 2063 and has already drafted the bill. Having completed all necessary procedures to avoid delays, the bill is now set to be submitted to the Council of Ministers. After approval, it will be presented to Parliament. Upon parliamentary approval and presidential certification, the bill will become law.
Each ministry has set priorities for the bills they intend to introduce. The Ministry of Finance is preparing to present the Nepal Rastra Bank Act amendment bill. Since the original enactment in 2058 BS, the Nepal Rastra Bank Act has been amended nine times, first in 2063 BS and subsequently in 2066, 2072, 2073, 2074, 2075, 2076, 2080, and 2081 BS. The current government also plans to amend this act. The Ministry of Finance is proceeding with the amendment process after securing approval from the Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs; however, specific details of the amendments have not been disclosed. Furthermore, the ministry is working on the tenth amendment of the Employees’ Provident Fund Act 2019, for which the draft has been prepared and public consultation is underway. The proposed changes include broad expansion of the fund’s structure, operational scope, and investment policy.
The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies is set to introduce an amendment bill to the Companies Act. Originally enacted in 2063 BS to promote investment through economic liberalization and boost national economic development, this law has undergone three prior amendments. The fourth amendment aims to simplify and enhance transparency in company formation, operation, and management.
Both the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Energy are drafting four bills each. The Ministry of Home Affairs is working on bills related to Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, immigration, and intelligence services. Bills concerning the Armed Police Force and Nepal Police were introduced in the last parliament but became inactive following the dissolution of the House of Representatives on September 12 (Bhadra 27). The Nepal Police bill addresses police restructuring efforts. Despite ten years since federal governance was established, security agencies have faced challenges adapting to federalism. This bill was introduced in the previous parliament but did not become law. The current government has prioritized its passage.
The Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation is prioritizing four bills related to water resources, renewable energy and energy efficiency, and electricity and irrigation development and management. The draft for the renewable energy and energy efficiency bill has already been completed.
