KATHMANDU: Deliberations on the government's policy and programme presented by President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Sunday have started in the Legislature-Parliament today.

In the deliberations that will continue for three days (till May 12) lawmakers will air their views on the policy and programme that President Bidya Devi Bhandari presented at the House on Sunday.

Prime Minister KP Sharma is scheduled to respond to the queries raised by the lawmakers on May 13.

As part of the deliberations, lawmakers expressed their views on the vote of thanks proposal today. The proposal was presented by the chief whip of CPN-UML, Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal, and seconded by the chief whip of UCPN-Maoist, Hitraj Pandey.

Speaking at the meeting, Gopal Dahit of Tharuhat Tarai Party Nepal criticised the policy and programme for failing to address the concerns of people of various areas of Banke and Bardia.

He also said that the policy and programme could not be implemented and that they would not support them as they were 'discriminatory'.

Dahit also accused the government of suppressing the protest launched by the indigenous and Madhesi communities.

Meanwhile, lawmakers of the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) boycotted the Parliament meeting today as well.