No CA extension: DPM Mahara

POKHARA, April 8: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Information and Communications Krishna Bahadur Mahara said the government was committed to promulgate the constitution within the stipulated timeframe of May 28.



Mahara who is also the standing committee member of the UCPN (Maoist) said the government and the UCPN (Maoist) have no plan to extend the tenure of the Constituent Assembly. [break]



Speaking at a press meet organized by Kaski Chapter of Revolutionary Journalists´ Association today, Minister Mahara said timely promulgation of the constitution is possible if political consensus was forged though it is not possible procedurally.



He said attempts are being held to find common grounds among the political parties despite they have serious disputes in some issues of the constitution.



He ruled out the rumors that the cabinet was not extended due to row over the Home Ministry between the CPN-UML and Unified CPN (Maoist) adding that agreement was signed to provide the Home Ministry to the Maoist party.



He however said that the cabinet expansion was delayed due to some differences over the model of the PLA combatants´ management and integration. Mahara informed the journalists that process of army integration will proceed once the taskforce formed to integrate the army submits its report in detail.



The UCPN (Maoist) was committed to the seven-point agreement as the present government was formed on the basis of this agreement, added Mahara.



Mahara said the government was yet to get full shape as efforts are underway to bring other parties in the government and added dialogue with the Nepali Congress and other parties are being held to change the government into a national consensus government.



The Information and Communication Minister said the government was fully committed to protecting the rights of the working journalists and stated consultations with all sides will be done for the effective implementation of the related laws.



Mahara also visited the under construction building of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), Kaski Chapter.



On the occasion, Chairman of FNJ, Kaski Chapter, Narayan Karki said local organizations, financial institutions and journalists are extending their support for the building construction of the FNJ, Kaski Chapter.



FNJ Kaski Chapter is constructing its building with the investment of Rs. 16 million.

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