Kathmandu : Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal on Tuesday reminded lawmakers of the rules governing conduct inside the House of Representatives, including a provision prohibiting the use of mobile phones for calls, photography and audio or video recording during parliamentary meetings.
Concluding Tuesday’s House meeting, Aryal drew lawmakers’ attention to Rules 20 and 21 of the House of Representatives Rules, 2083, and urged them to help make parliamentary proceedings more orderly and dignified.
“I draw the attention of all honourable members to Rules 20 and 21 of the House of Representatives Rules. I would particularly draw your attention to clause (t) of Rule 20,” Aryal said.
Rule 20 sets out 11 provisions governing the conduct of lawmakers during House meetings. Clause (t) states that members must keep their phones on silent and must not make calls, take photographs or record audio or video inside the meeting hall.
The Speaker’s reminder comes amid concerns over lawmakers using mobile phones during House proceedings. Aryal, however, did not name any particular lawmaker while drawing attention to the provision.
Rule 20 also requires lawmakers to stand and show respect when the Speaker enters the meeting hall, remain seated while the Speaker is addressing the House, speak only after being given time, and refrain from actions that disrupt proceedings or undermine the dignity of the House.
Rule 21 contains five provisions governing lawmakers participating in debates. Among other things, it prohibits members from criticising the Speaker’s conduct except during a motion concerning the Speaker’s conduct, discussing matters barred under Article 105 of the Constitution, and using indecent, obscene, insulting or offensive language.
It also prohibits remarks that demean or adversely affect any person, caste, religion, language or gender, as well as the use of unparliamentary language.
The rules further state that lawmakers must not misuse their right to speak with the intention of obstructing House business.
Reminder comes after dispute over comments on judiciary
Aryal’s reminder came a day after a dispute in the House over comments made by Rastriya Swatantra Party lawmaker Yagyamany Neupane about the judiciary.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, Neupane said recent developments had given him the impression that the courts had not embraced change.
“Looking at recent developments, it feels as though the courts have not embraced change,” Neupane said.
He went on to criticise the justice system, saying that even people who had won cases and held court verdicts in their hands would say that the courts do not deliver justice.
CPN-UML lawmaker Guru Prasad Baral raised a point of order over Neupane’s remarks.
Baral said the Constitution clearly provides for separation of powers and assigns distinct roles to the executive, legislature and judiciary.
He also questioned what he described as attempts to interfere with the judiciary, referring to attacks on the Supreme Court and other courts during the Gen Z movement.
Article 105 of the Constitution bars discussions in either House of the Federal Parliament on matters concerning cases under consideration by a court if such discussion could adversely affect the administration of justice. It also bars discussion of judicial acts performed by judges in the course of their duties, except when discussing an impeachment motion concerning a judge’s conduct.
Against this backdrop, Aryal reminded lawmakers that maintaining the dignity and quality of parliamentary proceedings is a shared responsibility.
“I urge all honourable members to recognise that everyone has a duty and responsibility to make each day’s House meeting dignified and exemplary,” he said.
The Federal Parliament’s official website lists the House of Representatives Rules, 2083, as the current rules governing the House.
