Himal Press 
LUMBINI: The Provincial Affairs and Law Committee of the Lumbini Province Assembly has advised the provincial government not to implement the federal government’s directive to reduce the remuneration and facilities of the assembly’s office bearers and members.
The interim government formed after the September 8-9 protests had stated that the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Speaker, Chairperson of the National Assembly, province chiefs, and ministers may appoint only three secretariat members each. It had cut such facilities for other officials and elected representatives and instructed all subnational governments to enforce this rule accordingly.
Following this directive, personal secretariat staff in Lumbini Province have not been able to draw salaries for the past two months.
During the committee’s meeting on Monday, members decided to instruct that there should be no obstruction in the facilities and services of the office bearers and their personal staff.
The committee also requested that the federal government not infringe upon the special privileges of the provincial assembly as guaranteed by Article 187 of the Constitution of Nepal, 2015.
Citing Article 196 and the Provincial Assembly Office-Bearers and Members’ Remuneration and Facilities Act, 2018 (2075 BS), the committee advised the provincial government to implement only those parts of the federal directive that fall within the province’s jurisdiction.
The committee further urged the Lumbini provincial government to proceed in line with the spirit of the Constitution and the principles of federalism.
