According to Law and Justice Minister Prem Bahadur Singh, the government will table as many 63 bills immediately after the House resumes its business. Among others, the “Bill on Institutionalizing Republic -2066” upon its passage would be instrumental in facilitating amendment of at least 159 various acts and regulations. The bill will help replace the terms and terminologies used in the acts before the country was declared republic.
For instance, terms like “his majesty´s government” and those that refer to monarchy would be replaced by new terms after the bill gets endorsed by parliament. “The bill on institutionalizing republic would facilitate amendment of 159 acts removing controversial clauses with new ones relevant to the changed political context,” said Minister Singh.
Among other important bills, the bill on tobacco control, university reform, garbage management, improving financial institutes are also waiting endorsement by parliament. The bill on tobacco control has a provision that prohibits smoking and consuming tobacco products in public places, including offices. “The main objective of this bill is to discourage people from smoking and consuming other tobacco products in public places,” Singh told myrepublica.com.
Meanwhile, the bill committee of the cabinet two weeks ago endorsed the bill on disappearance and sexual harassment against women at working places. The committee also endorsed National Literacy Campaign working procedure last week which aims at eradicating illiteracy from the country by 2015.
The bill on disappearance proposes punishment for those involved in abducting and disappearing people during the conflict period. As per the bill, those involved in the perpetration of involuntary disappearance will be sentenced to seven years in prison and fined up to Rs 500,000.
Similarly, an accomplice in disappearing people will face half the total punishment applicable to the main offenders. According to the bill, those found guilty in disappearing women and children will be sentenced to nine years in prison.
The bill on sexual harassment at the workplaces defines sexual harassment not only in terms of physical contact but also in terms of the use of obscene expressions and gestures.
Sexual harassment would be taken up as a criminal offense, if the victim formally files complaints against the offender. According to the bill those involved in any forms of sexual harassment would be sentenced to three months in prison or be fined up to Rs 25,000. “If the nature of crime is serious, the guilty may be liable to both,” added Minister Singh.
Likewise, the bill on garbage management intends setting up Garbage Management Authority. The bill has a detailed provision on the systematic and effective management of garbage produced in Kathmandu.
Also, the bill on reforming financial institution aims to allow foreign banks to operate their business in Nepal without making joint-venture with Nepali Banks. Three separate bills on university reforms are also waiting endorsement by parliament.
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