"… We apologize for the negative effects and discomfort caused due to the weaknesses," said Dr Govind Prasad Kusum, member secretary of the Samiti, in a statement on Tuesday. [break]
The Samiti has also expressed its commitment not to repeat the mistake that marred the selection process this time due to "shortness of time".
The government´s decision to confer the awards on various individuals was dragged into controversy after Chief Justice Ram Prasad Shrestha protested the awards made to judges without consulting the Judicial Council and a public protest against awards to high-ranking police officers facing human rights violation charges. Some recipients even rejected the awards, questioning the selection process.
The Samiti has also asked all recipients to accept the awards in a positive spirit.
Meanwhile, public pressure and protests have forced a committee headed by Deputy Prime Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar to recommend to the cabinet a review of the Republic Day awards to high-ranking police officers Kuber Singh Rana and Durja Kumar Rai, who face allegations of human rights violation.
Dr Govind Prasad Kusum, member-secretary of the Bibhushan Samiti, said the committee on Tuesday decided to ask the cabinet to review the awards to Rai and Rana.
"The decision has been taken out of respect for public sentiments," Dr Kusum told myrepublica.com.
The government is under intense pressure from civil society and families of the martyrs of Janaandolan II to strip the police officers of the wards conferred on them by the president upon the recommendation of the cabinet last Saturday on the occasion of Republic Day.
Rai has been accused of using excessive force during Janaandolan II while Rana has been facing charges of human rights violations during the conflict period.
The committee took note of the controversy surrounding the awards this year and formed a body to chalk out guidance and standards for recommending names for Republic Day awards.
The committee comprises Deep Kumar Swar, Ram Swarup Sinha and and Govinda Bahadur Thapa.
Meanwhile, a group of lawyers has filed a writ petition at the Supreme Court demanding scrapping of all Republic Day medal awards.
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