Kathmandu Post/ANN - The National Assembly on Thursday endorsed the National Medical Education Bill amid protest from the lawmakers of main opposition Nepali Congress. The proposal tabled by Minister for Education, Science and Technology Giriraj Mani Pokharel was endorsed with a majority.  

With the endorsement, the bill has been endorsed by the federal parliament and will be implemented as an Act once President Bidhya Devi Bhandari authenticates it.

Soon after the commencement of the meeting, Nepali Congress lawmakers stood from their seats to express their reservations over the bill. The meeting, however, continued amid protest from the Nepali Congress lawmakers.

Earlier this afternoon, Nepali Congress lawmakers Radheshyam Adhikari, Sarita Prasai, Badri Prasad Pande and Prakash Pantha and Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal’s lawmaker Brikhesh Chandra Lal registered separate proposals at the parliament secretariat, seeking amendment to the National Medical Education Bill.

On Monday, National Assembly secretary Rajendra Phuyal had tabled the bill along with the message of the House of Parliament, while Education Minister Giriraj Mani Pokhrel had proposed the NA for consideration of the bill that was endorsed by the lower house.

While holding discussion on the amendment proposal, Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal lawmaker Lal demanded the bill should be sent to the Legislative Committee for the discussion. Adhikari, however, did not take part in the discussion.

National Assembly Chairman Ganesh Timilsena had tabled both the amendment proposals in the National Assembly meeting. Both the amendment proposals, however, were rejected by the majority.

The National Medical Education Bill was endorsed from the federal House of Representatives on January 26 despite protest from the Nepali Congress lawmakers.

Following the endorsement of the bill, Nepali Congress had warned of launching protests from the Parliament and streets.

The next meeting of the National Assembly has been scheduled for February 3.

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