Experts say capable candidates are ignored, while party cadres are landing big government appointments

KATHMANDU, Sept 20: It’s been already five years since the Constitution of Nepal was promulgated on September 20, 2015.

The Nepal Communist Party (NCP) secretariat has decided to nominate the party’s vice-chairperson Bamdev Gautam as a member of the National Assembly. Narayan Kaji Shrestha and few other NCP leaders who had lost the election have already been nominated to the National Assembly. People have voiced strong objections to such nominations, jeopardizing the legitimacy of the Assembly itself. People are talking of the Assembly as a place to settle the rejected political leaders.

KATHMANDU, Jan 9: A writ petition was filed at the Supreme Court on Wednesday challenging the recently promulgated Advertisement Regulation Act that goes against the spirit of the Constitution.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli returned to Baluwatar Thursday evening “fit and fine” after undergoing treatment at Tokha-based Grande Hospital for two days. Oli underwent hemodialysis twice in this period. Emerging from the hospital, PM Oli said in a reassuring tone that he is all right. But during the two days when the PM was undergoing treatment larger public concern, including that of the media, was about PM’s office not informing the general public about the nature of ailment and the treatment he was administered. People were nearly kept in the dark about the health status of the head of the government. “What happened to the prime minister? Is the illness serious? Why does not the government update the people with regular health status?” People asked in the social media. Part of such response was triggered by rather conflicting and confusing statements coming from advisors of the prime minister. Earlier it was said that PM was in the hospital for a “regular check up.” PM’s press advisor would say the PM is all right and he would return home soon after, then the hospital administration would inform otherwise. It is good that PM has regained his health and reportedly has no problem in governing. We hope the PM will recover early and will be able to get back to work actively.

“Hami Yestai Ta Ho Ni Bro.” When this “rap” music video first came out, I was immediately dissuaded to see it. I have never been an avid fan of the genre and particularly not of the artist, “Vten”. But when I did finally see it, after the chatter it caused on social media—I did not enjoy it, but this wasn’t new. Most of the “rap music” Nepali “rappers” produce repulse everyone. I did not, however, see a case to arrest him, on any charges that I, at the time, knew of.

The U.S. Constitution permits Congress to remove a president before his or her term is up if enough senators vote to say that they committed “treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanours.” Article Two, Section 4 of the Constitution gives the House of Representatives the sole power to impeach a federal official, including the president. On October 31 the House voted to approve and proceed with its impeachment inquiry. The resolution, passed on a mostly party-line 232-196 vote, sends a clear signal that a vote to impeach President Donald Trump, and a trial in the Senate, is all but inevitable.

KATHMANDU, Oct 24: The Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU), World Future Council and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have awarded Nepal’s constitution promulgated in 2015 with the Future Policy Silver Award in Belgrade, Serbia.

In response to my September 18 article “Our constitution is one of the most progressive documents,” Praveen Kumar Yadav wrote that Nepal’s constitution is a regressive document (see “Far from progressive,” Republica, Sept 29). He mentioned some “conflicting issues” of the constitution and questioned: If the national charter was so progressive, as I depicted, why would then Prime Minister Sushil Koirala promise to amend it?

In his recent op-ed in Republica, Jivesh Jha wrote that Nepal’s constitution is one of the most progressive documents in the world (see “Our constitution is one of the most progressive documents,” Sept 18). He went on mentioning the progressive provisions of the constitution but ignored its regressive and flawed aspects.

On the lead up to the Constitution Day and the day itself last week, as cynics on social media were jeering at the government’s appeal to people to mark the day by wearing national flag emblazoned t-shirts, my contemplation  was on what the press and intelligentsia would say about the constitution that turned four on September 20, 2019.  There were two stark responses: outright ambiguous and dismissive.

KATHMANDU, Sept 20: As the country marks the fourth anniversary of the promulgation of the new constitution, an influential leader of the main opposition party, Nepali Congress (NC), has alleged that the government has been trying to weaken the spirit of the constitution.

KATHMANDU,Sept 20: We are marking the fourth anniversary of our constitution and it is now in the course of implementation. Some of the political parties were protesting when the constitution was promulgated on September 20, 2015. But it has been accepted by all as all sides have participated in the elections for the three tiers – federal, provincial and local- conducted as per this constitution.

KATHMANDU, Sept 11: General Secretary of the main opposition Nepali Congress Shashank Koirala has accused Prime Minister Oli of trying to impose dictatorship by controlling all the state powers.

Nepal Communist Party (NCP) co-chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal seems keen on granting amnesty to the perpetrators of 2015 Tikapur carnage. On Sunday, he said that the anti-constitution protest that resulted in lynchings of seven police personnel and a toddler in Kailali was a political uprising and that it should be dealt with as such. Such a remark from the head of ruling party is irresponsible and smacks of impunity.

KATHMANDU, Sept 5: Chairperson of the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Pushpa Kamal Dahal said that his party would try its best to implement the constitution.

Issues have emerged regarding effective implementation of federalism. But there is a long way to go and these issues can be addressed in due course of time

SEOUL, Aug 29: North Korea’s parliament has approved changes to the country’s constitution to solidify leader Kim Jong Un’s role as head of state, state media said on Thursday.

KATHMANDU, Aug 28: President Bidya Devi Bhandari has appointed Dr Bansidhar Mishra and Dr Narad Nath Bharadwaj as the ambassador of Nepal to Bangladesh and Qatar respectively.

KATHMANDU, Aug 28: A 12-member delegation led by Attorney General of Nepal Agni Kharel is currently paying a seven-day visit to India.

The government is planning to double existing number of judges in Nepal’s courts by amending the constitution. Does it have to? How many judges does the country need at the moment?

KATHMANDU, June 22: After the country promulgated its new constitution in 2015, the first in Nepal written by a constituent assembly, the list of fundamental rights grew to 31 from 24 in the interim constitution. Expectations were high that the people were about to enjoy greater freedom.

When bizarre things happen, people in Nepal often tend to say ‘this is Nepal’ meaning that anything can happen here and nothing is impossible. This seems to hold true in many cases. This is Nepal and we still don’t seem to be politically stable. This is Nepal and so many political parties are here. This is Nepal and we still don’t have water from Melamchi.

KATHMANDU, May 23: Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara has underscored formulation of delegated legislation in accordance with the sentiments of laws and constitution in the country.

SURKHET, May 23: Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supply, Matrika Prasad Yadav, has said that the federalism would be successful only if there would be coordination among three-tier governments.

KATHMANDU, April 23: The ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) chairman and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the aspirations of the indigenous people have been addressed in the Constitution.

GORKHA, April 14: Although article 31 of Nepal’s constitution states that every citizen shall have the right to get free education up to the secondary level, community schools in Gorkha are charging fees for students studying in basic to secondary levels.

POKHARA, April 7: Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’ has said the provision on the citizenship by descent came as per the court verdict and the constitution.

KATHMANDU, March 24: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said the enactments of 126 new laws demanded by the constitution in a year were the first record in Nepal’s parliamentary history. In his address to the House of Representatives ( HoR) session today, the PM reminded that within a year of the government formation, 126 laws were formulated and 13 acts and some of Nepal’s acts were amended.

KATHMANDU, Feb 3: The Parliamentary Hearing Committee has sought for complaints against the five chairpersons of constitutional bodies despite discontent from the Nepali Congress, the main opposition. Nepali Congress had handed over a note of dissent against the PHC’s decision to recommend five chairpersons in its absence.

We should critique the constitution on legitimate grounds. But disseminating false information about it is unprofessional and unscholarly

KATHMANDU, Dec 28: Chairman of Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSFN) Upendra Yadav has called for an amendment to the Constitution stating that the current statute will not bail the country out of the current crisis.

Since the constitution was promulgated in 2015, governments and Madhes-based parties have maintained rather vague and, at times, impractical positions on amendment of the document.

Using state coffers and machineries for promotion of a particular religious organization is against the spirit of secularism enshrined in our constitution

KATHMANDU, Dec 9: There are still challenges for the protection of human rights in Nepal despite the formulation of laws in this regard.

KATHMANDU, Dec 9: Stakeholders concerned have demanded a law related to same-sex marriage in the context when Nepal's constitution and laws have accepted the concept of marital equality.

KATHMANDU, Nov 15: The constitutional bench at the Supreme Court resumed work from Wednesday after a gap of three months.

KATHMANDU, Oct 26: CPN Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said Nepal's constitution is the citizens' manifesto both in term of the process and content.

CHITWAN, Oct 12: Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has said although the new constitution had come into force, the rights guaranteed by it were yet to be fully implemented.

KATHMANDU, Oct 10: The government is working to bring amendments to the constitution to address the grievances of the Madhes-based parties, it is learnt.

KATHMANDU, Sept 30: Acting Prime Minister Ishwar Pokharel has highlighted the need of launching social awareness and consciousness-raising campaigns for the protection of girls.

BIRGUNJ, Sept 28: Senior leader of the Nepali Congress, Ram Chandra Poudel, has said constitution should be amended to strengthen democracy.

Your daily dose of missed important news of the day.

NEPALGUNJ, Sept 22: Spokesperson for the Nepali Congress, Bishwa Prakash Sharma, has stressed that the government should not leave democratic system and characters for the successful enforcement of the constitution.

KATHMANDU, Sept 20: The main opposition Nepali Congress has said Prime Minister KP Oli had proved a failure on all fronts including the implementation of the constitution.

BHADRAPUR, Sept 19 : Leaders of the Limbuwan movement who are not happy with the new constitution, asserted that their main demand is federalism with identity, but noted that republic, federalism and secularism in the constitution are welcome. "Federalism as envisioned in the constitution is not complete.

Nepal is now more "ruled by men" than "law" : Om Prakash Aryal

KATHMANDU, Sept 19: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said that rather than questioning whether federalism was right or wrong, more attention needed to be diverted towards implementing federalism and making it a success. Oli said so during his address to mark the Constitution Day from the Army Pavilion, Tudikhel.

KATHMANDU, Sept 19: Wednesday marks the third anniversary of the promulgation of the new constitution through an elected constituent assembly (CA).

KATHMANDU, Sept 19: When the country prepares to celebrate today the fourth anniversary of the promulgation of Nepal's constitution drafted by the Constituent Assembly in 2015, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is confident that Nepal will move ahead in the path of 'Prosperous Nepal and Happy Nepali' despite many challenges faced by his government.