KATHMANDU, Feb 16: The newly formed K P Oli government is preparing to withdraw the nomination of three National Assembly members made by the outgoing Deuba government, according to a minister.
Minister for Environment and Population Lalbabu Pandit informed Republica that the new government will withdraw the recommendations for the three upper house members made to the president by the outgoing government just days before formation of the new government.
“The new government has not officially taken a decision but the recommendation of three National Assembly members will be withdrawn and new names forwarded in their place,” said Pandit.
According to UML sources, the party had already requested President Bidya Bhandari not to endorse the recommendations, stating that the decision of an outgoing government to recommend upper house members was 'unethical'.
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President Bhandari's personal secretary Bheshraj Adhikari said she will consult the government prior to endorsing the recommendations. “The president has not endorsed the recommended names so far. She will consult the government prior to a decision as there has been a change of government since the recommendations were made,” said Adhikari.
The Deuba government had recommended Gopal Basnet, Krishna Prasad Paudel and Chandani Joshi for appointment as upper house members.
Sources said UML and the CPN (Maoist Center) have agreed to forward two names recommended by UML and one name recommended by the Maoists. The constitution provisions that three members including a woman shall be appointed to the 59-member upper house by the president on the recommendation of the government. “Some names are under discussion in the party as the recommendations of the outgoing government have not been endorsed so far,” said a senior UML leader.
Meanwhile, the new government has started its homework for revoking some decisions taken by the Deuba government after the announcement of elections, said Minister Pandit.
“The new government has started the homework for reviewing all the decisions of the previous government that will have a long-term impact,” he reiterated. The left alliance of Oli's CPN-UML and the CPN (Maoist Center) had warned the Deuba government against taking such decisions.
Deuba had decided to reduce the age criteria for the elderly allowances from 70 years to 65. This had drawn widespread criticism from various stakeholders including the left alliance. The alliance has accused the preceding government of taking some controversial decisions which could result in a financial crisis during the tenure of the new government.
