Nepal govt to table Constitution amendment by Nov 15, says Prime Minister Prachanda

Nepal Prime Minister Prachanda on Friday said his government was committed to table a proposal in the parliament by next week to amend the new Constitution and meet the long-pending demands of agitating parties, including Madhesis.

Prachand told reporters that the amendment proposal would be tabled in the parliament before the current Nepali month ‘Kartik’ ends on November 15, the Kathmandu Post reported.

Marking his government’s first 100 days in office, he said would put forward the proposal by taking all sides on board.

The amendment proposal has already been prepared and the government is holding discussions with the main opposition CPN-UML regarding the same, the prime minister said, adding that he has always strived to create an environment of trust between the ruling and the opposition parties.

The amendment to the Constitution, adopted in September last year and which led to months-long protests by Madhesi people and created a huge shortage of essential goods and fuel in the landlocked country, is a thorny issue in Nepal.

Madhesis, who share family and social bonds with Indians, allege that the Constitution compromises their interests.

They want more political representation in the parliament through re-demarcation of the provincial boundaries, and some issues remain over citizenship criteria.

Prachanda reiterated his commitment that the government would move ahead by forging a national consensus to deal with the issues of constitution amendment and over the impeachment motion against suspended chief of Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority, Lok Man Singh Karki.

He said after he became the prime minister he has been working to take Madhesis, and other disgruntled groups, into confidence and his efforts have been successful so far.

He also said that his government would give momentum to the implementation of the new Constitution as the formation of high courts in provinces, selection of attorneys’ office and other remaining tasks like the peace process were in progress.

He claimed his government has been successful in improving Nepal’s ties with both its neighbours - China and India.