The meeting of Nepal’s House of Representatives on Tuesday was suspended for 15 minutes after the Finance Minister was absent during the discussion on the principles and priorities of the Appropriation Bill.

The disruption occurred after CPN-UML lawmaker Rajendra Kumar Rai, who was speaking during the session, took a firm stance that the discussion should not proceed in the absence of the concerned minister.

Despite repeated requests from Speaker Dola Prasad Aryal, who stated that the Finance Minister was on the way, lawmaker Rai maintained his position, arguing that parliamentary proceedings require ministerial presence.

He criticized the recurring absence of the Prime Minister and Finance Minister from parliamentary sessions, stressing that the government must remain accountable to the legislature.

Rai also stated that it was against parliamentary dignity for the minister responsible for presenting the Appropriation Bill to be absent from the House.

The session was eventually suspended for 15 minutes, according to parliamentary officials.