Lumbini: Geeta Gurung, a member of the Lumbini Province Assembly, has been relieved from her post. A member of the provincial assembly on a proportional representation basis from the Janamat Party, Gurung has been relieved of her post on the ground of continuous absence.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Article 180 (d) of the Constitution mandates that the posts of members of parliament who remain absent for 10 consecutive meetings without prior notice are to be vacated. In line with this provision, Speaker Tularam Gharti Magar announced that Gurung’s post was declared vacant during the 11th meeting of the sixth session of the Assembly held today. Rule 190 of the Provincial Assembly Rules, 2079 supports this by allowing the Speaker to inform the Assembly if any member’s seat becomes vacant.
Gurung attended only 34 out of the 83 meetings held during the fifth session and did not attend any meeting of the sixth session. Her absence triggered the Janamat Party parliamentary party leader, Chandrakesh Gupta, to send a letter to the Speaker. The letter requested the declaration of Gurung’s post as vacant according to the Constitution due to her absence in 10 consecutive meetings.
With Gurung’s post now vacant, the Lumbini Province Assembly consists of 86 MPs out of a total of 87 seats.