The ruling Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) is preparing to give leadership of the majority of parliamentary committees to women.
The party has transferred Shashi Shrestha to the
State Affairs Committee from Law, Justice and Human Rights Committee to make her chairman of the
State Affairs Committee. Similarly, Niru Pal has been transferred to the Women, Children, Senior Citizen and Social Welfare Committee from the Development Committee and will lead the former committee.
Jayapuri Gharti, meanwhile, has also been transferred from the Industry, Commerce and Consumer Welfare Committee and will chair the Education and Health Committee, according to a party source. “Many women will chair parliamentary committees,” the source stated. “Former deputy speaker Purna Kumari Subedi will also become chairman.” She will chair the Agriculture, Cooperatives and Natural Resources Committee.
Pabitra Niraula Khanal, similarly, has been transferred from the Women, Children, Senior Citizen and Social Welfare Committee and will chair the International Relations and Labor Committee. Kalyani Kumari Khadka will chair the Development Committee.
Nira Devi Jairu will chair the joint committee of the House of Representatives (HoR) and National Assembly to monitor and evaluate implementation of the directive principles, policies and responsibilities of the state.
Krishna Prasad Dahal and Krishna Bhakta Pokharel will be the only male chairmen from CPN.
Many high-profile CPN leaders were considered contenders to chair the parliamentary committees. Standing committee member Yogesh Bhattarai was said to be the front-runner to chair the Parliamentary Hearing Special Committee and Ghanashyam Bhusal for the Finance Committee. But Laxman Lal Karna of Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJP), who has been heading the Parliamentary Hearing Special Committee as the oldest member, will get to chair the committee.
“He has already conducted hearing for two justices recommended for chief justice. We have decided that he can continue to lead the committee,” a CPN leader told Setopati.
Election for chairmen of the parliamentary committees will be held on September 21.
A CPN leader said the party has decided to not make former ministers or leaders with probability to become minister chairmen of the parliamentary committees.
CPN will give leadership of the Industry, Commerce and Consumer Welfare Committee to Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSFN) which is preparing to make Bimal Srivastav the chairman.
A party source claimed that FSFN Chairman Upendra Yadav has sent Srivastav to the committee to make him chairman without consulting party leaders.
The chairmen of parliamentary committees get perks and benefits on par with a state minister including a vehicle, secretariat and security.
