Inter-legislative forum concludes with nine-point Tikapur message

Tikapur: The 11th conference of the Inter-Legislative Forum has concluded with the issuance of a nine-point Tikapur message, including a commitment to develop a ‘digital parliament’ system by the federal parliament and all provincial assemblies to make cooperation and interconnection information technology-enabled.

The two-day conference held in Tikapur, Kailali, concluded with an emphasis on ensuring citizen participation in parliamentary activities through information technology and developing a ‘digital parliament’ system across legislatures at all levels.

The conference discussed the effective implementation of lawmaking and managerial processes at the federal, provincial, and local levels in line with the constitutional principles of cooperation, coordination, and coexistence, while upholding the essence of the federal democratic republican governance system envisioned by the constitution.

According to the message issued by the conference, effective cooperation and interdependence will be established among parliaments and assemblies at all levels to make lawmaking and parliamentary work faster, simpler, and more transparent. It states that all provincial assemblies will establish federal-provincial coordination branches or units to coordinate with the federal parliament, while the secretariat functions of the Inter-Legislative Forum will be handled by the provincial assembly liaison and coordination branch of the federal parliament secretariat.

The message further states that special initiatives will be taken to establish a management institute under the federal parliament to promote research, development, and innovation in lawmaking and administrative processes, and to run capacity-building programs for elected representatives and staff at the federal, provincial, and local levels.

It also highlights that to make government policies and programs, pre-budget discussions, and parliamentary budget formulation more effective and result-oriented, the Federal Parliament and Provincial Assemblies will move forward with establishing a Parliamentary Budget Office within the next fiscal year through necessary legal provisions. Additionally, initiatives will be taken to provide essential support staff to members of the Federal Parliament and Provincial Assemblies to enhance their efficiency and improve the quality of lawmaking and parliamentary activities.

Similarly, the message states that interaction, discussion, and review programs will be organized among officials and employees at federal, provincial, and local levels to exchange best legislative practices and managerial skills. It also draws attention to the impact of staff management issues in provincial assemblies on legislative operations.

To address this, the conference concluded that the Government of Nepal should be requested to formulate necessary laws for establishing a unified service for employees of the Federal Parliament and Provincial Assemblies, in accordance with Article 231, Clause (3) under Part 29 of the Constitution of Nepal concerning intergovernmental relations.

The message also expresses serious concern over the need to make the roles and functions of the Federal Parliament, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Vice-Chairperson of the National Assembly, and Deputy Speakers of Provincial Assemblies more active and effective.

In this regard, a study committee has been formed under the coordination of National Assembly Secretary Tul Bahadur Kandel, with Koshi Provincial Assembly Secretary Sudarshan Khadka and Lumbini Provincial Assembly Secretary Durlabh Kumar Pun Magar as members. The committee will study the Constitution and existing laws of Nepal and submit a report with recommendations within three months. Following the submission of the report, a meeting of the Inter-Legislative Forum will be held to make necessary decisions.

The conference has also decided that the 12th conference of the forum will be organized in Karnali Province.