House resumes after five months of obstruction

Normal proceedings of House resumed on Monday after five months of continuous disruption by the Maoists over the issue of ‘civilian supremacy’ vis a vis president’s move to reinstate then army chief.

The House proceedings resumed as per decision of the Maoist’s central committee to resume House business for three days to allow passing the budget unveiled for the fiscal year 2009/10.

This comes as a big relief to the embattled 22-party coalition government as it was facing hard time even to provide salary to the civil servants, army and police due to prolonged delay in passing the budget through House.

The House began debates on budget allocated for different ministries on Monday. Ministers concerned are scheduled to answer the questions on the allocated budget to different ministries.

Addressing the House session, Maoist deputy parliamentary party leader Narayankaji Shrestha said they allowed house to function only for three days for the passage of the budget. He announced that Maoist would continue with stringent protest programs including House obstruction if the president’s move is not corrected.

The party has already announced third phase of protest programs against the Madhav Kumar Nepal-led government.

The former rebels, who fought a decade-long civil war with the state before getting majority seats in the Constituent Assembly held in April, 2008, stepped down from the government in May 2009 after President Dr Ram Baran Yadav reinstated then army chief Rookamangud Katawal sacked by the Maoist-led government.

Since then, the Maoists have been launching a series of protest programs demanding a public apology from the president. The Maoists have also put forth demand of forming national government under their leadership, dismissing the current Madhav Kumar Nepal-led government.

- Asian Tribune -