The government's policies and programs for the upcoming fiscal year has been passed with majority on Tuesday amidst opposition furor over use of three words by Prime Minister (PM) KP Sharma Oli.
"I will present answers to the questions ignoring rage, frustrations and feeble expressions," Oli had started to answer questions raised by the lawmakers after his response to the questions raised during discussion on the government's policies and programs at the House of Representatives (HoR).
Nepali Congress (NC) lawmaker Min Bahadur Bishwokarma objected to the use of words--rage, frustrations and feeble--by Oli immediately after the latter finished the sentence. Other NC lawmakers joined in saying the words does not fit parliamentary decorum.
Bishwokarma had earlier asked PM Oli how much he will get in corruption now that he has started to award contracts of over Rs 25 billion.
Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara said his attention has been drawn immediately after Bishwokarma's objection but NC lawmakers stood from their chair and protested saying the language does not fit parliamentary decorum.
"I don't want to indulge in a debate for long, honorable members. There should be dignity in questions," Oli said from the rostrum.
NC lawmaker Minendra Rijal demanded ruling from Speaker Mahara even as he urged the lawmakers to sit down pointing his attention has already been drawn.
Oli then demanded that the recording of the questions be replayed to listen to the kind of questions raised.
Rijal responded that the lawmakers are ready to listen to the recording and stated that the PM's style of answering is not right.
"One can ask questions but can't use vulgar words," Oli fumed apparently hinting toward the question of Bishwokarma.
"Will the speaker run the parliament or you?" Rijal objected.
"We have rights to question. But questions should be asked in a dignified manner. One cannot use vulgar words. But it is the speaker who should point if vulgar words have been used," Rijal argued.
Speaker Mahara then asked PM Oli to continue his answer pointing his attention has already been drawn.
Rijal raised the issue of parliamentary regulations and Oli hit back saying he has read it and urged the lawmakers should also comply with it.
Lawmaker of ruling CPN Krishna Bhakta Pokharel then intervened and pointed at the provision in regulation that states there should be no obstruction when PM is speaking.
PM Oli with Speaker Mahara's permission then proceeded to answer question raised by NC lawmaker Dilendra Badu who challenged PM Oli for presenting false facts about suspension bridges built on Mahakali river.
Oli gave the names of places where tuin (rope bridges) have been removed along the Mahakali and claimed that the government has already invited bids to build suspension bridges over Mahakali at a few places.
PM Oli did not answer other questions raised by the lawmakers and hurriedly ended his response even as the opposition lawmakers continued to protest.
The government's policies and programs was passed amidst the noise after the amendments registered by different opposition lawmakers were rejected.
