Minister Gautam Emphasizes Parliamentary Dignity and Member Conduct

Kathmandu. Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Sobita Gautam, has stated that MPs must pay special attention to their behavior, language, and attire to maintain the dignity and relevance of the parliament. Speaking at a program organized at Singh Durbar on the occasion of the 68th Parliament Day on Tuesday, she emphasized that MPs themselves must be dignified to establish parliament as the supreme institution of the people. She pointed out the need for self-reflection as public complaints about the declining quality of parliament have begun to be heard. She argued that procedural and technical matters can be resolved through the Business Advisory Committee or other informal discussions to make parliamentary practice fruitful, and that parliamentary time should be spent only on public interest issues. Minister Gautam stated that since the state treasury is operated with taxes paid by the people and the parliament's expenses are met from that treasury, even a minute of time received by MPs should be meaningful. She said, 'Let's focus the one minute we receive on debating the issues of the people. Let's have extensive debates on how to systematize education, how to make health services effective and accessible, how to make the myriad problems of the people solvable, and how to hold the government accountable on such issues. If we can have such debates in parliament, I believe there will be a positive improvement in both the relevance of parliament and the public's perception of parliament.' She said that the quality of parliament has significantly declined compared to the past, which is often heard even in informal conversations, and everyone should reflect on its causes. Minister Gautam clarified that to uphold the honor of parliament, MPs must be dignified in every aspect, from the language they speak, the words they utter, and the attire they wear to parliament, and that dignity must be maintained through their own behavior. 'My request to all honorable members is – this is the supreme forum of the people, a forum where the representatives of the people are present. We must demonstrate through our behavior that we maintain this institution as the supreme institution. Let there be no weakness in our conduct. I myself will make a 100% effort for this. This is a commitment I have made to myself,' she said. Emphasizing that MPs must improve their conduct to make public perception of parliament positive and prove its relevance, Minister Gautam also expressed her personal commitment to make a 100% effort to maintain the dignity of parliament.