Earlier, the UCPN (Maoist) had insisted that the chief of the legislature (Speaker) should head the body while Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML, among other parties, were for making the chief executive head the body.[break]
The independent body will oversee issues related to the appointment of chief justice and chiefs and members of constitutional bodies and their performances, among others.
"Until yesterday [Saturday], we had differing stances on who should head the judicial body. There was a strong view that the Speaker should head the body whereas there was also an opinion that such a person should be selected by a council, among other views," Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who is head of the taskforce, told mediapersons after the meeting.
"But today we have decided that the chief executive should be head of the CC." He said the leaders are yet to determine the jurisdiction and composition of the body. Dahal said they may change the name of the CC if deemed necessary.
Members of the taskforce have reached a tentative understanding to include the Speaker, Chief Justice and main opposition leader as members of the CC. "Discussion is underway on who should be included as other members of the body," said Ramesh Lekhak of NC.
The proposed model of the CC is largely similar to the CC as it exists currently. While preparing the preliminary draft report by the Constituent Assembly´s (CA) thematic committee on determining judicial system, the Maoists had proposed that a special committee under parliament should be entrusted with the responsibility of appointing and overseeing the performances of chief justice and chiefs and members of the constitutional bodies.
Discussion on whether the CC should be the sole body to deal with all such issues is underway in the taskforce. Maoists have said the CC should be given all powers whereas other parties are for ensuring at least two bodies -- CC and Judicial Council (JC) in the new constitution.
At present, judges are appointed by CJ upon the recommendation of the JC.
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