Kathmandu May 8.

The budget session of the federal parliament comprising both House of Representatives and National Assembly) has begun from today amidst the elongation of lockdown against COVID-19. The House session has commenced to meet the statutory provision of presenting executive’s budget proposal for the fiscal 2020/21 in the federal parliament on Jestha 14 (May 28). According to the federal parliament secretariat, the session has been placed by adopting all health safety protocols and measures meant for the prevention and control of COVID-19. Prior to the presentation of budget in the parliament, the government is legally obliged to unveil upcoming fiscal years’ policy and programme and economic survey. Arrangements for hand-wash and sanitisation have been made in the main entrance to the Federal Parliament Building, New Baneshwor for those members in the Council of Ministers, lawmakers, employees and security personnel before entering the meeting hall. They underwent fever screening at the main entrance before leaving for the meeting venue. The House of Representatives (HoR) session began at sharp 4:00 pm as per the schedule while the National Assembly session commenced a bit late of the schedule ( 4:10 pm). With the opening of the sixth session of the Federal Parliament, the Speaker and NA Chair read out letters from the Office of the President, summoning the session. Following this, silence was observed in the honour of those sacrificing their lives for the sake of democracy and republic. Seats for the participants have been arranged by maintaining social distancing. –