KATHMANDU, Nepal — Minister Sobita Gautam has pledged to accelerate Nepal’s legislative process, aiming to address long-standing bureaucratic delays in passing critical reforms. The announcement comes amid mounting pressure from civil society groups demanding faster implementation of anti-corruption and economic development bills.
Gautam, who assumed office last month as part of Nepal’s coalition government, told parliamentary reporters that her team would prioritize ‘transparent and time-bound procedures’ to clear the backlog of pending legislation. Analysts note this aligns with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s recent directives to modernize governance systems.
‘We’re implementing digital tracking for all bills and establishing cross-party working groups,’ Gautam stated during a press briefing at Singha Durbar. Government records show 47 bills currently await parliamentary approval, including key infrastructure and foreign investment proposals delayed since 2022.
Political observers caution that Gautam faces significant challenges. ‘The real test will be navigating coalition politics,’ said Kathmandu University political science professor Narayan Adhikari. ‘Previous ministers made similar promises but struggled with factional demands.’
If successful, the reforms could unlock $2.3 billion in stalled international development funding, according to Finance Ministry projections. The next parliamentary session begins May 15, when Gautam’s proposed procedural changes are expected to face their first vote.