GANDAKI: The GandakiProvince Assembly here has been reminded to ensure that the lawmaking process is an open, transparent and inclusive practice.

During a consultative meeting organized by the Governance International Nepal and the Gandaki Province Secretariat on Tuesday, the speakers underscored the need of incorporating citizen’s voices in policy and lawmaking.

The discussion focused on the parliamentary openness, external oversight and practices of the provincial assembly.

Deputy Speaker of Gandaki Province Assembly, Bina Kumari Thapa, viewed once the parliamentary practice is made accountable and participatory, it help create an atmosphere conducive to justice.

“Parliament is a place for those elected by the people, so its activities must have deep links to citizen,” she said, asserting that Gandaki Province Assembly has increased citizen’s participation in lawmaking process.

Parliamentary party whip of Nepali Congress in Gandaki Province Assembly, Prakash Baral, also shared that citizens had direct access to Gandaki Province Assembly.

The Province Assembly was informing people on its activities with the optimum use of information technology. “The Assembly also receives experts’ input in the bills,” he added.

Former minister and Province Assembly member Saraswati Tiwari Aryal viewed although expert views were garnered from time to time, a short supply of resources was limiting citizen’s feedback.

Another member of the Province Assembly Leel Bahadur Thapa viewed time has come for the province mechanism to earn public trust.

On the occasion subject expert and journalist Krishna Prasad Sapkota made a presentation on ‘parliamentary openness, oversight and provincial practices’.

Practice of open parliament not only links lawmaking process to citizen’s concern but also contributes to democratic values, he said, adding that effective role of oversight mechanism on parliament activities is equally significant to make lawmakers accountable to people and align laws and policies with broader interest.

Secretary at Province Assembly Secretariat, Govind Paudel, informed that total 87 bills were passed by the Gandaki Assembly so far.