KATHMANDU, April 25: The Federal Parliament will begin its budget session of both houses today at 1:00 PM. President Ramchandra Paudel summoned the session based on the Council of Ministers' recommendation.
The Parliament Secretariat released the agenda, stating that Speaker Dev Raj Ghimire will brief the House of Representatives on the President's notice summoning the session and the recent cabinet reshuffle.
Following Rule 10 of the House of Representatives Regulations, 2079 BS, members will nominate chairs to preside over the meeting. Since it is the first day of the session, leaders from various political parties will speak on behalf of their parties.
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According to the Prime Minister's Secretariat, Prime Minister and CPN-UML parliamentary leader KP Sharma Oli will address the House. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel plans to present the “Bill to establish the Alternative Development Finance Mobilization Fund-2025."
The winter session of Parliament concluded on March 31. The Constitution allows the President to address the joint session of both houses at the start of the first session each year. The President will deliver an address outlining the government's policies and programs.
As per the constitutional schedule, the finance minister will present the budget for the upcoming fiscal year on May 28. Lawmakers refer to this session as the budget session. A Parliament Secretariat official said that the government will announce its policy and program on May 2 and begin the pre-budget discussion. The law requires the House to begin pre-budget discussions at least 15 days before the budget presentation.
Before the budget, the House will discuss the principles and priorities of the Appropriation Bill. Lawmakers also plan to pass the Federal Civil Service Act and the School Education Bill during this session. Parliament Secretariat spokesperson Ekram Giri confirmed that the Secretariat has completed all preparations to conduct the session.
