July 19: The National Council on Thursday debated whether the parliament members would be provided a driver’s allowance or a driver. The house was divided on the issue. The National Assembly members said the parliamentarians should be given a driver’s allowance.

The National Council members were divided on the issue on whether to include driver’s allowance or a driver in their entitlement bill. While some of the members wanted a driver’s allowance as proposed by the National Assembly members, some of said it would be better to recruit a driver.

Nine members raised their hands to support the driver’s allowance while nine other members asked for a driver. A few members however said both are not necessary.

Those who supported the driver’s allowance said many members can drive and the decision to employ a driver or not should be kept to the individual parliamentarians. After prolonged discussions, the house decided that the issue needs to be re-discussed.

Some of the members also questioned the logic behind providing lump sum money to the parliamentarians to purchase vehicles. Some members said it would have been better if the government provided both driver and vehicle to the members of the parliament.

The National Council members also decided to add stationary allowance and a new section on leave entitlement for the parliamentarians.