Kathmandu, Aug. 17 -- For the first time since the present House came into operation, Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal on Monday directed Prime Minister Balendra Shah to appear in the House of Representatives and answer questions raised by lawmakers.

At the start of Monday's House meeting, Aryal issued the directive under the provisions of the House rules, which require the prime minister to attend the session and respond to lawmakers' questions on matters directly related to his responsibilities.

"I have taken note of the protests by lawmakers, who have for some time been demanding a question-and-answer session with the prime minister on important matters concerning the prime minister or his areas of responsibility, as provided under Rule 56 o...