Kathmandu, 25 August (H.S.): After Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah was barred from wearing dark glasses inside Parliament, his office has submitted a medical report along with a written request seeking permission for him to wear sunglasses on medical grounds.

Ekam Giri, joint secretary and spokesperson of the Federal Parliament Secretariat, confirmed that the letter, accompanied by Prime Minister Shah’s medical examination report, has been received by the Parliament Secretariat.

Earlier, Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal, through the chief whips and whips of various parties, had issued instructions to lawmakers to refrain from wearing dark glasses inside the House after a rule to this effect was adopted.

The Prime Minister’s practice of attending parliamentary proceedings wearing dark glasses had drawn considerable criticism from lawmakers, who raised questions about the dignity and decorum of the House. Following the criticism, the Speaker summoned the chief whips of all political parties and informed them that their respective lawmakers and ministers would be prohibited from attending House meetings while wearing dark glasses.

The Speaker’s directive had clearly stated that any lawmaker who was required to wear dark glasses for medical reasons would have to submit a medical examination report to justify the need. In accordance with this provision, Prime Minister Shah has now submitted a letter to the Parliament Secretariat along with his medical report.

A direct question-and-answer session with Prime Minister Balendra Shah is scheduled to be held during the House of Representatives meeting on Wednesday. Eleven lawmakers will directly put questions to the Prime Minister during the session.

Prime Minister Shah has consistently been seen wearing dark glasses whenever he has attended parliamentary proceedings. He has also been seen wearing them during his swearing-in ceremony, while assuming office and during meetings with foreign diplomats.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar