As per the ordinance authenticated by President Ram Baran Yadav on recommendation from the Council of Ministers, the state will provide living quarters to former president, vice president and ex-prime ministers along with a vehicle, driver and staff for their secretariat, according to a government secretary involved in drafting the ordinance. [break]
The government prepared the law on privileges and facilities for former very important persons (VIPs) after the Supreme Court scrapped the 2003 cabinet decision in December. The Supreme Court had directed the government to give privileges and facilities to former VIPs only after enacting a law and not through an executive order.
While passing the verdict, a division bench of the Supreme Court ruled that giving state privileges to the VIPs could not be legitimized in a democracy.
The government enacted the law through ordinance as the parliament remains prorogued, according to Ram Rijan Yadav, the prime minister´s press advisor.
The secretary said the chief justice and speaker will not be provided living quarters after their retirement although they are entitled to enjoy state provided vehicle and driver.
The secretary said the ordinance has bestowed power to the home ministry to determine security to be provided to the VIPs, analyzing security threat against them.
The ordinance also proposes to give security facilities to former home ministers, depending on security threats but such a decision will be taken by the home ministry.
Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai had informed the government´s intention to enact the law through ordinance during a meeting President Yadav on Wednesday morning. The ordnance comes into immediate effect and must be approved by the parliament within six months without which it will expire.
Related story
Govt to turn Ministers’ Quarters at Pulchowk into quarters for...
_20230226123652.jpg)
