KATHMANDU: The National Assembly, the upper house of the federal parliament, has thanked President Ram Chandra Paudel for his address to the joint sitting of both the houses of the Federal Parliament.

During Friday’s session of the upper house, National Assembly Chair Narayan Prasad Dahal presented a proposal for a vote of thanks to the President, which was subsequently endorsed by the Assembly.

Earlier in the day, the President addressed the joint session of the Federal Parliament at 3:00 pm in accordance with Article 95 of the Constitution. Prior to this, Prime Minister Balendra Shah tabled a copy of the President’s address before the National Assembly.

Chair Dahal also read out a letter from the Office of the President regarding the reshuffling of the portfolios within the Council of Ministers.

He further informed the House that members Ananda Prasad Dhungana, Nar Bahadur Bista, and Prem Prasad Dangal had been nominated to the Parliamentary Hearing Committee, while Kiran Babu Shrestha, Madan Kumari Shah (Garima), and Dr Anjan Shakya were nominated to the Committee for Monitoring and Evaluation of the Implementation of the Directive Principles, Policies and Obligations of the State. The Assembly approved these nominations.

Additionally, National Assembly Chair Dahal apprised the House of a letter from the Office of the President regarding the prorogation of the 20th session of Parliament. Acting on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers on April 7, the President announced that both Houses of the Federal Parliament would be prorogued effective from midnight today, in accordance with Article 93(2) of the Constitution.