Nepali Deputy PM to present govt's policies in parliament

Due to illness of Nepali Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, Deputy Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli is to present the Seven Party Alliance government's policies and programs before the House of Representatives on Sunday.

This is the first time that policies of the government will be presented in the parliament by the Prime Minister.

Earlier, the King used to outline the government's policies in the joint session of the parliament.

Talking to reporters Sunday morning, Speaker Subash Nemwang said discussions on the government's policies will take place until Tuesday.

Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat is expected to present budget for the next fiscal year 2006/07, starting in mid-July, before the parliament later in the week.

Koirala was scheduled to present the government's program in the parliament last week but could not do so due to his ill health.

Koirala is undergoing treatment for his respiratory problem at the Martyr Gangalal National Heart Center in Kathmandu for the last one week.

Source: Xinhua