A point of order was raised by CPN-UML Chief Whip Ain Bahadur Mahar following the movement of Home Minister Sudan Gurung within the House premises when one of the members was addressing the House.
The incident took place on Tuesday’s sitting of the House of Representatives during the course of the discussion when the Minister moved forward through the area in front of Nepali Communist Party Chief Whip Yubraj Dulal who was making the address at that time.
It was raised to the notice of Speaker Dol Prasad Ghimire by the Chief Whip that such an action amounted to the violation of parliamentary etiquette.
“While Honorable Yubraj Dulal was addressing the House, Honorable Home Minister moved through the space between the Chair of the Speaker and the speaking member,” Mahar said.
He referred to Rule 20(6) of the Regulations of the House of Representatives which prohibits members from moving through the area between the Chair of the Speaker and the speaking member.
He concluded by appealing to all members to observe parliamentary etiquettes and the honor of the House.
The code of conduct for members in parliamentary proceedings is provided in Rule 20 of the House of Representatives Regulations.
Members must:
Rise and pay respect when the Speaker enters the room for the meeting.
Leave the room only when the meeting is adjourned and the Speaker leaves the room.
Only speak on being granted permission by the Speaker.
When speaking, speak to the Speaker and in case of no other instructions, do so standing in his/her assigned place.
Be seated and listen attentively while the Speaker addresses the House.
- Not be allowed to move in between the Chair of the Speaker and the member addressing the House.
- Not be allowed to sit or stand in such a position whereby they face the back of the Chair of the Speaker.
- Not be allowed to engage in any behavior which interferes with the speaking member, the honor of the House or disrupts the proceedings of the House.