Have you ever heard of a ghost parliament? Nepalese parliament was dissolved by King Gyanendra on May 22, 2002. So, this parliament died and became a ghost. Because of massive popular uprising, this ghost was reinstated on April of this year and the ghost parliament has passed its 100 days. I must say that I am too much impressed with its human activities. It has passed a number of new legislations for the welfare of the Nepalese people. Some of them are stated below:
1. The parliament members curtailed the power of Nepalese King and took a number of steps towards ensuring the establishment constitutional monarchy.
2. The ghost parliament curtailed the power of the army and even has started its effort to punish those members of army related to human rights violation.
3. It took away much of the privileges enjoyed by the King and removed from a number of state organizations.
4. It is forcing the King and the royal family to pay tax like all citizens.
5. It is tackling the corruption in the country and so far has done a very decent job.
6. The ghost parliament has worked with the Maoist rebels and thus there is real peace now in Nepal after more than one decade.
7. The King gave a lot of government work related projects to his relatives and cronies without any competitive bidding. The parliament is working to change it and give the projects to the skilled persons.
8. A few weeks ago, the ghost parliament has passed perhaps the best budget in Nepalese history.
9. It is ensuring that women can become the head of monarchy too.
10. The King wanted to control the media and imposed all kinds of restrictions and even fine against the journalists. The ghost parliament has corrected this problem and helped the media.
The best thing that the parliament members have done so far is to remain united. In the past, the royal family could always exploit the bitter divisions among the political leaders and democracy was always like a dream for Nepalese people. I guess the members of the ghost parliament have realized that being ghost is not enjoyable.
Related Article
Comment Preview