KATHMANDU: The lawmakers have demanded removal of biased provisions- different condition set while conferring citizenship to any person on mother’s and father’s name.
Taking part in the discussion on the Bill designed to amend the Citizenship Act in the House of Representatives on Thursday, the lawmakers stressed that people in the country must not be left stateless.
Lawmaker Gagan Kumar Thapa said while conferring citizenship certificate to any person on mother’s name, there should not be any inquiry on father’s name. The woman having children with no identity of their father should not be hassled in terms of awarding citizenship to such children.
Lawmaker Bimala BK said one can acquire the citizenship on mother’s name only when his/her father is not identified, otherwise it is illegal for him/her to apply for citizenship. This provision in the bill needs to be wiped out, BK stressed.
Lawmaker Sujita Shakya said none from the country should be deprived of citizenship.
Prem Suwal however said the foreigner marrying a Nepali citizen could be conferred on the citizenship after 20 years’ of stay in Nepal and taking language test.
Bhimsen Das Pradhan viewed the third gender people should be provided citizenship certificate without any hassle and barrier.
The House of Representatives will meet again at 1:00 pm tomorrow.
