The Federal Parliament on Wednesday endorsed by a majority vote four ordinances issued by the government last month.The endorsement took place despite Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party (NMKP) expressing its reservations.

Both Houses endorsed the four ordinances - on Health Professional Education (HPE); National Assembly Election; Truth and Reconciliation Commission (first amendment); and Remuneration, Facilities and Condition of Service of the Secretary General of the Federal Parliament, Secretary of House of Representatives and Secretary of the National Assembly.

After failing to come up with a replacement bill in the last session of the House, the government prepared the ordinances for the second time. President Bidya Devi Bhandari issued them on April 26. The Parliament has to endorse any ordinance, as well as its replacement bill, within 60 days of the first meeting of the new session, rules stipulate.

Senior orthopaedic surgeon Dr Govind KC’s relentless campaign for reforms in medical education resulted in the HPE Ordinance. The ordinance prohibits setting up any medical college in the Valley for a decade. In the absence of the Parliament, the government had issued NA Election Ordinance to clear legal hurdles for the Upper House polls.

The Federal Parliament also endorsed the ordinance on the CIEDP and TRC (first amendment), issued to extend the terms of two transitional justice bodies by a year. NMKP’s Member of Parliament Prem Suwal objected the provision of barring medical colleges for 10 years in the Valley. Impose this restriction only on private colleges, he said.

Suwal was against extending the terms of two transitional justice bodies unless they assure that they can accomplish their work within the extended period. The Lower House rejected his proposals.The government has to table the replacement bills of the four ordinances in the HoR within two months.