Lawmakers free to register amendments, UML tells NC

KATHMANDU: The ruling CPN-UML has argued that the amendments proposed by its lawmakers on the Federal Civil Service Bill were expressions of individual freedom, not the party’s official stance.

UML lawmakers have submitted an amendment proposal to the Federal Parliament Secretariat, seeking to remove the ‘cooling-off period’ provision from the bill. The bill, which has already been passed by the House of Representatives, is currently under discussion in the National Assembly.

The clarification came after coalition partner Nepali Congress raised questions regarding the amendment.

Chief Whip of the Nepali Congress, Shyam Kumar Ghimire, told reports on Thursday that the UML had conveyed its position during an internal meeting. “The UML told us that their lawmakers are free to register amendments,” Ghimire said. “Even in the Land Bill, 10–12 NC lawmakers had proposed amendments. So, this is a routine parliamentary process.”

Ghimire also said lawmakers are free to propose amendments to any bill. “This is nothing new. The matter will be resolved through further discussion and consensus,” he added.

He also said further discussions would be held on the contentious issue of the Bill, including the cooling-off period provisions.