Kathmandu, May 31: President Ramchandra Paudel has given his assent to the bill designed to amend the Nepal Citizenship Act, 2063.
The President gave his assent to the bill in accordance with Article 61, Sub-articles (2), (3), (4) and Article 66 of the Constitution of Nepal, as well as the principle propounded by the Supreme Court, stated a press release issued today by Shailaja Regmi Bhattarai, spokesperson for the Office of the President.
The Office of the President said the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers has written to the Office of the President for giving assent to the bill, mentioning various conditions and situation as the bill has not got the assent so far for it to become an Act. It is also mentioned that the Government of Nepal, Council of Ministers on May 26 had recommended to the President for his assent to the bill.
Both the Houses of the Federal Parliament had passed the Nepal Citizenship (First Amendment) Bill, 2079 designed to amend the Nepal Citizenship Act, 2063. The Bill was tabled in the House on July 31, 2022.
Then Speaker of the House of Representatives had authenticated the Bill on July 31, 2022 and forwarded it to the then President for her assent. The then President had sent back the Bill to the Federal Parliament for reconsideration, calling attention to some topics.
The Federal Parliament on September 5, 2022 sent the Bill again to the President for assent after holding discussions on the topics on which the then President had drawn attention to in both Houses of the Federal Parliament.
‘Authentication of citizenship bill maintained parliament’s supremacy’
Top leaders of Madhes Province have commented that supremacy of parliament has been maintained with the authentication of bill relating to citizenship by President Ram Chandra Paudel as per norms and values of parliamentary democracy and constitution.
Welcoming the authentication of the citizenship bill, former Vice-President of the Nepali Congress, Bimalendra Nidhi, said the problem of the children, long deprived of citizenship despite having their parents Nepali citizens, has been resolved.
President Paudel took a historical move and protected parliamentary supremacy by authenticating the citizenship bill at a time when it was stuck in the parliament, observed Nidhi.
He mentioned, “The President has carried out activities in line with constitution and as per the cabinet decision. It is the matter of happiness.”
Similarly, Chairperson of Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP), Upendra Yadav, said the President protected the provision and aspiration of the constitution that none shall be deprived of citizenship.
Chair Yadav extended special thanks to the President for addressing the voice of the party and citizen left without citizenship document.
Likewise, Chairperson of Loktantrik Samajbadi Party, Mahantha Thakur, said the President addressed the problem by authenticating the citizenship bill as the rights granted by the constitution was suppressed for years.
The citizens who could not get the citizenship certificate in lack of laws had to face many problems in every sector ranging from study, employment, entrepreneurship, and property.
“Our party had been exerting pressure to resolve citizenship problem. The citizenship bill has now been authenticated. All should welcome making it a political issue”, shared Chair Thakur.
President Paudel authenticated the bill designed to amend Nepal Citizenship Act-2063 today.
Promulgation of Citizenship Bill evades parliamentary procedures: CPN UML
Major opposition CPN (UML) has said the issuance of the Bill to amend the Citizenship Act-2006 when it was lying inactive violated the parliamentary procedures.
UML parliamentary party deputy-leader Subas Nembang said the party was shocked by the decision of the Council of Ministers to revive the Bill and the President assenting it. “The amendment was necessary, it was obviously delayed to conclude the Bill, but the way and procedures followed to issue it were not appropriate.”
“How could a Bill that had been pending in the Office of the President be active promptly by just a decision of the Council of Ministers,” the leader wondered, adding that the party is serious about some issues incorporated in the documents.
The Nepal Citizenship (first amendment) Bill, 2079 designed to amend the Nepal Citizenship Act-2006 was endorsed by both houses of the Federal Parliament.
The party said it was necessary to issue the Bill, but it came that way which was not recognized by the law and parliamentary norms and values.
