KATHMANDU, May 8: President Ram Chandra Paudel has started legal consultation on issues including the Citizenship Bill, which was blocked by former President Bidya Devi Bhandari.

Former President Bhandari had previously stopped the Citizenship Bill passed by the Parliament without verification. On the same issue, President Paudel held a legal consultation with the chief legal advisor of the government, Attorney General Dinmani Pokharel, on Sunday.

Kiran Pokharel, the President's press advisor, said that the discussion was not on the Citizenship Bill, but on overall legal issues. “It is not exactly this or that bill. There are some urgent legal matters in the country. The President held consultations on the constitutional arrangement on those issues," Pokharel said.

A bill passed by the Federal Parliament takes legal form after it is ratified by the President. According to the constitution, the President must certify the bill passed by the Federal Parliament within 15 days. 

There is no clear provision in the constitution as to what to do if verification is not done. If the President is not satisfied with the bill, s/he can send it back to the Parliament within the first 15 days. 

However, the constitution has made provision for verification for the second time. But former President Bhandari did not certify the bill passed by Parliament.

 
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