Federalism & Localization Centre

Dialogue Details

A two-day interaction program on the effectiveness of parliamentary committees

A two-day interaction program on the effectiveness of parliamentary committees successfully concluded in Bhedetar, Koshi Province. Jointly organized by the Federalism and Localization Center (FLC) and the Koshi Province Assembly Secretariat, with financial support from the Provincial Support Programme (PSP) of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the event brought together leadership and members of the Provincial Assembly to discuss ways to strengthen committee performance, enhance legislative oversight, and improve the overall effectiveness of parliamentary institutions.

The program was attended by Koshi Province Assembly Speaker Hon. Amar Bahadur Bista, Deputy Speaker Hon. Sirjana Danuwar, chairpersons of the assembly's thematic committees, and various Provincial Assembly members, focusing primarily on committee procedures, legislative responsibilities, oversight functions, and strategies to strengthen the role of parliamentary committees in democratic governance and the implementation of federalism.

Addressing the participants, Speaker Hon. Amar Bahadur Bista emphasized the vital role of continuous learning and institutional strengthening for elected representatives, expressing confidence that such initiatives would significantly enhance the knowledge, skills, and effectiveness of assembly members in their legislative and oversight functions. Similarly, Deputy Speaker Hon. Sirjana Danuwar highlighted the critical need for robust implementation of recommendations and directives issued by the Provincial Assembly and its committees, noting that establishing effective follow-up mechanisms is essential to ensure parliamentary decisions contribute meaningfully to governance and public service delivery.

The program featured expert-led sessions facilitated by Dr. Khim Lal Devkota, Ram Narayan Bidari, Dr. Krishna Pokharel, and Manoj Giri. They delivered presentations and led discussions covering parliamentary committee operations, the legislative drafting process, delegated legislation, and approaches to improving committee effectiveness, transparency, and accountability.

The interaction also provided a platform for committee chairpersons and members to share firsthand experiences, operational challenges, and practical recommendations, engaging participants in constructive dialogues on enhancing inter-committee collaboration, tightening legislative scrutiny, and promoting evidence-based decision-making. Active contributors to these discussions included Provincial Assembly members and former ministers, notably Lilaballabh Adhikari, Baburam Gautam, Nirmala Limbu, Gombu Sherpa, Khageshwari Paudyal, Mamata Tamang Magar, Mina Shrestha, Jay Prakash Chaudhary, Kamala Darnal, Gita Devi Regmi, and Gyanananda Mandal Gangai, among others

The program concluded with a collective, shared commitment to further strengthen parliamentary committees as foundational pillars for legislative review, oversight, public accountability, and effective governance across Koshi Province.