Federal Parliament to Begin Budget Session on May 11

The federal parliament is set to begin its budget session on May 11, with preparations underway for lawmakers to convene amid expectations that key proceedings could be held in the new parliament building for the first time.

Parliament officials say administrative arrangements for the upcoming session have already been completed, while work continues inside the under-construction parliament complex. The budget session is expected to focus heavily on the government’s annual policy plans, financial bills, and discussions related to the next fiscal year.

Budget Session Scheduled to Begin on May 11

The Federal Parliament Secretariat has confirmed that the upcoming budget session, also known as the annual session, will start on May 11.

According to spokesperson Ekram Giri, preparations are being made to conduct the budget presentation from the new parliament building. Although the construction has not been fully completed, officials involved in the project have informed the secretariat that the House of Representatives chamber may be ready for use by May 29.

The parliament secretariat stated that seating arrangements are not expected to become a major challenge. Internal management work will move forward once flooring and remaining interior tasks are completed.

Expectation of Holding Joint Meeting in New Parliament Hall

Officials said visible progress has already been made at the new parliament complex.

The external scaffolding structure surrounding the building has already been removed, while work on interior decoration and technical systems is still ongoing.

Giri said the construction side has verbally informed the parliament secretariat that the House chamber could be made available before the constitutional deadline for the budget presentation. As a result, the secretariat is hopeful that the joint session of parliament can be conducted in the new hall.

The government is constitutionally required to present the annual budget on May 29.

Major Focus Will Be Policy and Budget Discussions

As this is the budget session, the government’s policy agenda and the national budget for the upcoming fiscal year are expected to dominate parliamentary business.

Lawmakers will first hold discussions on the principles and priorities of the appropriation bill as part of pre-budget deliberations.

Following those discussions, the President is scheduled to present the government’s policies and programmes during a joint meeting of the federal parliament, in line with constitutional provisions.

The parliament secretariat stated that financial legislation linked to the budget process will receive priority during the session.

• Appropriation Bill
• Financial Bill
• National Debt Raising Bill
• Pre-budget discussions on government priorities

Officials also said other pending bills and ordinances may move forward depending on parliamentary requirements during the session.

Constitutional Deadline for Ordinances

One of the important responsibilities during the upcoming parliament session will involve ordinances introduced by the government.

Under constitutional provisions, ordinances tabled in the first meeting of the session must be replaced through formal legislation within 60 days.

If replacement bills are not endorsed within the required period, the ordinances will automatically become inactive.

The issue is expected to become one of the key procedural matters during the session as lawmakers begin discussions on pending legislative business.

Several Bills Already Under Consideration

The parliament secretariat said multiple bills are already under consideration in both houses of parliament.

In the House of Representatives, lawmakers are currently dealing with three bills that arrived with messages from the National Assembly. A separate bill related to alternative financial management is also under discussion.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly has listed a bill related to intangible assets among its agenda items. Reports from various constitutional bodies are also expected to be discussed during the session.

Officials said these matters will continue alongside budget-related business during the upcoming parliamentary meetings.

Rules Committee Report Also on Parliamentary Agenda

The parliament secretariat also confirmed that the report prepared by the House of Representatives Rules Drafting Committee remains part of the workload for the upcoming session.

The report is expected to be discussed as parliament proceeds with broader legislative and procedural responsibilities.

With the annual budget, government policies, pending bills, and ordinances all scheduled for discussion, the upcoming federal parliament session is likely to become one of the busiest parliamentary periods of the year.

At the same time, attention will remain focused on whether the newly constructed parliament hall can be made operational in time for the key budget announcements and joint parliamentary meetings later this month.